A History of The Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry

1\CG
H
"b
n c^c
r^ NEW YOHK
t.UC LIBRARv
I
rr-f., LEHOX M"
. FOUNDATKJ:-
!-
HANCOCK'S
DIARY
OR,
A HISTORY
kd l&mm
WITH
SKETCHKS
OP
FIRST AND SEVENTH
BATTALIONS;
ALSO,
PORTRAITS
AND
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES,
TWO
VOLUMES IN ONE.
Nashville, Tenn. :
BRANDON PRINTING
COMPANY.
THE NEW YORK
PUBLJCLJBiRARY
2873
ASTOR, LENOX AMD
TTLOCK
FOUNDATtONS.
1904
Copyrighted, i{ By R. R. Hancock.
TO THE MEMORY
OF
THE HEROES
WHO, BY THEIR GALLANTRY WHILE LIVING AND
THE SACRIFICE OF THEIR PRECIOUS LIVES,
LARGELY HELPED TO BUILD UP
THE FAME OF THE
SECOND
TENNESSEE
CAVALRY,
THIS VOLUME IS
AFFECTIONATELY
DEDICATED
BY
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE
As I wrote, during the war, merely for my own future reference,
not then expecting to ever have my Diary published in book form, I
omitted many, many items which should have been mentioned; there-
fore, soon after I began to rewrite the work for publication, I had five
hundred letters printed for distribution among my comrades, and be-
sides I have sent out hundreds of manuscript letters to let my com-
rades know what I was doing and what I wanted thetti to do. I
regret to say that my Diary is not what I wish it to be, from the fact
that so few
oi my comrades gave the desired and asked-for aid. I
hope that they will not complain of omissions which they should have
furnished.
I have endeavored to give a sketch of the movements of the dif-
ferent commands (whether regiment, brigade, division, corps, or
army) with which the First Battalion and Second Tennessee Cavalry
movedfrom General ZoUicoffer's first campaign into Kentucky in
September and October, 1861, to the last campaign of General For-
rest into Central Alabama in March and April, 1865.
I highly appreciate the following
INDORSEMENT. .
'
' To Our Comrades
of
the Second Tennessee Cavalry, and Others :
"We have examined with great interest the manuscript pages of
our Brother Hancock's work. It is fraught with a peculiar originality,
and is a consecutive story in his own way of stirring scenes of the war
that will pass as a panorama before the minds of all who participated
in them. Of course there are many things omitted; but whose fault
is it? Our brother appealed to the old soldiers, by circulars and
vi Preface.
otherwise, for such information and help as- they could furnish, though
he received but few responses.
"Now, let all take this work and read it; as time advances interest
will increase in Confederate history; they can easily jot down and
preserve for future publications such omissions or inaccuracies as they
think have been made;"-:^ but the present author deserves a world of
credit for perseverance against the lethargy of his comrades, and the
work is remarkably correct.
C. R. Barteau, Colonel.
G. H. Morton, Lieutenant-Colonel
.
George F. Hager,
Lieutena7it Company G.
J.
D. McLiN, Company C,
Editor Weekly American, Nashville."
I am under many obligations to General Thomas Jordan and
J.
T.
Pryor, the writers of "Forrest's Campaigns," for much valuable in-
formation in reference to the movements and actions of
'
' Forrest's
Cavalry," which I could not tww obtain from any "other source, and
also to Dr. George F. Hager, of Nashville, for taking valuable time
from his own business to attend to the portrait department for mein
fact, he has given me more aid and encouragement than any other
one of my comrades; and Colonel Barteau stands next. I now return
thanks to all who have aided me.
Colonel H. M. Ashby's Regiment, which was composed of H. M.
Branner's and George McLelland's East Tennessee Battalions, is
officially recorded in the Confederate Archives (now at Washington,
D. C.) as the Second Tennessee Cavalry, while Colonel Barteau's
Regiment, through carelessness of his superior officers, in the field or
at the War Department, was not officially recognized at Richmond
until February,
1865, and it was then numbered the Tw^^^-second
Tennessee Cavalry. f Though, as Barteau's Regiment has ever been
*
Hope my comrades will heed this suggestion. R. R. H.
tSee foot note, page
197;
and also sketch of Rev. S. C. Talley, Appendix A,
Preface. vii
known, since its organization, June 12th, 1862, as the ^^f^z/^/ Tennes-
see, and as it is so recognized in "Forrest's Campaigns" and "Mili-
tary Annals of Tennessee," I have used that number throughout this
work when speaking of Barteau's Regiment.
I regret that it was not convenient for me to correct the "proof-
sheets," since I find the following typographical errors: Widlard
should be Willard (roll of Allison's Company) ; F. W. Hearn should
be F. W. Hor7i (page
51);
Haskins should be Hoskins (page
73);
headquarters ^\\o\x\^ be quarters (page loi); Captain ^(?^^ should be
Bfludc (page
175);
IVi/der's Regiment should be Wilson's (page
328);
port should htfori (foot note, page
357);
list of wounded should be list
oi prisoners (foot note, page
364);
George Leave should be George
Love (page
363);
a phrase or part of sentence is set off by a period,
Dec. 8th,
1863,
and March 19th, 1864; TJ^z;-^ should be JF^rrt' (pages
590
and
591).
R. R. H.
Auburn, Tennessee, September loth, 1887.
CONTENTS
1861.
Company Rolls of McNairy's Battalion
Company A, 28; Company B, 29;

Company C,
31;
Company D, 32;
Com-
pany E, 18.
First Battalion Tennessee Cavalry
Organized,
33;
start for East Tennessee,
35;
at Camp Schuyler,
36;
at
Huntsville,
37;
at Knoxville,
39;
joined to ZoUicofter's Brigade, 40.
Zollicoffer's First Kentucky Campaign
At Cumberland Ford,
43;
Detachments sent to Laurel Bridge and Salt
Works,
46
; Action at Barboursville,
47
;
Action at Rockcastle Hills, or Wild-
cat,
59;
Falls back toward Cumberland Ford, 67;
Evacuates Kentucky, 71
;
Halts at Jacksboro, 71.
Revolt of the Unionists in East Tennessee,
74.
Zollicoffer's Second Kentucky Campaign
Starts from Jacksboro, 81; at Mill Springs, 87;

crosses the Cumberland
River,
90; (1862)
General Crittenden arrives, 106; General Carroll ar-
rives, 108; Battle of Fishing Creek, 113;
Crittenden's Official Report, 113;
Thomas' Report, 121
;
Crittenden's Division transferred to "Central Army,"
133;
Crittenden joins Johnson at Murfreesboro, 134.
General A. S. Johnston's Shiloh Campaign
Starts from Murfreesboro,

135;
Concentrates and Organizes at Corinth,
140;
puts his Army in Motion for Pittsburg Landing, 141 ; Battle of Shiloh,
147;
Johnston killed, 150;
Beauregard in Command,
153;
Second day's
Battle,
156;
Confederates withdrawn,
159.
Movements of First Battalion Tennessee Cavalry
On Outpost Duty at luka, 164;

Skirmish at Bear Creek Bridge, 165;
Moves to Burnsville, 166; to Jacinto, 167;
Re-enlists and Reorganizes, 168;
Skirmish at Booneville, 172; Covers Retreat from Corinth,
173;
halts near
Fulton,
175.
Sketch of Seventh Battalion (October 19th, 1861, to June
12th, 1862
Roll of Company A, 175;

Company B, 178; Company C, 180;
Company
D, 182; Company E, 183;
Organization of Seventh Battalion, 185;
Roll
of Company F, 186; Seventh Battalion moves to Scottsville, Kentucky,
187; Returns to Gallatin, 188; Crosses the Cumberland at Nashville, 190;
X Contents.
Reaches Decatur,
190;
Arrives at Corinth,
191; Moves to Purdy, Tennes-
see,
192;
the Battle of Shiloh,
193;
Corinth Evacuated,
195;
Seventh Bat-
talion at its Last Camp near Fulton,
195;
Reorganized and Re-enlisted, 196.
Second Tennessee Cavalry
Organized,
197;
Roster, 198; Moves to Bay Springs, 202; Four Compa-
nies go with Armstrong to Alabama,
203;
Report of Alabama Expedition,
205; Attached to Armstrong's Brigade,
207; Starts to West Tennessee,
207; Action at Middleburg, 210; at Medon, 211; at Britton's Lane,
213;
Returns to Mobile and Ohio Railroad,
215; Attached to Price's' Army. 217.
Movements of General Sterling Price
Starts for luka,

217;
Arrives at that place, 217; Battle of luka,
219; Re-
turns to Baldwin,
225; Unites with VanDorn at Ripley,
227; Battle of
Corinth, 228; they fall back toward Holly Springs, 229.
Second Tennessee Cavalry
Encamped at Guntown,
235;
at Okolona,
237; (1863)
After Grierson,
239;
Action at Palo Alto, 240; at Birmingham, 241 ; at King's Creek, near
Tupelo, 242; at Mud Creek,
255;
Fall of Vicksburg,
258; Attached to
Ferguson's Brigade,
265; to S. D. Lee's Division, 266.
Movements of S. D. Lee's Division
Starts to North Alabama, 266; halts at the Tennessee River, near South
Florence,
267; Moves to meet Sherman,
269; Action at Cherokee,
271;
Second Tennessee and Second Alabama detached to meet the First Alabama
Tory Cavalry,
275
; Action with the Tories on the Eastport-Fulton Road,
275;
Returns to Okolona, 280; General Forrest arrives at Okolona,
285;
Moves to aid Forrest in passing into West Tennessee, 286; the Affair at
Saulsbury,
289; Action near Moscow, in Wolf River Bottom,
294;
Fer-
guson's Brigade, being detached, returns to Okolona, 296; Ordered South,
301 ; Second Tennessee transferred to Forrest, 302.
1864.
Movements of the Second Tennessee
Ordered to West Tennessee,

303;
in the vicinity of Bolivar,
305;
Ordered
back to Mississippi,
307;
Arrives at Oxford,
308; Attached to Bell's Brig-
ade, Forrest's Cavalry, 308.
Movements of Forrest's Cavalry (February nth to 28th, 1864)
Forrest moves so as to prevent, if possible, the junction of W. S. Smith

and Sherman,
310; Colonel Forrest intercepts Smith near Aberdeen,
312;
Bell's Brigade detached, under Colonel Barteau,
313;
Crosses to the east
bank of the Tombigbee,
313;
Recrosses to the west bank,
313;
General
Contents. xi
Forrest holds the Federals at bay awaiting reinforcements,
314;
the Fed-
erals in Retreat,
315;
Forrest presses their rear,
315;
Barteau on the
Right Flank,
318;
Opens the Action at Okolona, 321, and closes it fifteen
miles beyond,
329;
General Buford's Brigade added to Forrest's Cavalry,
332;
Reorganization,
332.
Forrest's Campaign Into West Tennessee and Kentucky (March 15th
to May 5th, 1S64)
Starts from Columbus,

339;
the Action at Paducah, Kentucky,
341;
Cap-
ture of Union City, Tennessee,
346;
Capture of Fort Pillow,
352;
Returns
to Tupelo, Mississippi,
371.
Operations of Forrest's Cavalry in Mississippi (May 12th to September
i6th, 1864)
Forrest sets out from Tupelo to join Roddy in Alabama,
376;
Recalled to
meet a federal force from Memphis,
377;
Battle of Brice's Cross-Roads,
3S1 ; Forrest returns to, and establishes his headquarters at, Tupelo,
401
;
a larger Federal force afield, 410; the Second Tennessee detached and
moves to meet General A.
J.
Smith, 412;
meets him south of Albany, 412;
General S. D. Lee arrives at Okolona and takes command,
413;
moves to
meet Smith at Pontotoc, 416 ;
Smith moves toward Tupelo, 416;
the Second
Tennessee attacks the Federal right flank,
417;
Battle of Harrisburg,
420; Smith falls back to Memphis,
434;
takes the field again,
441;
Con-
fronted by Forrest at Oxford,
442;
Forrest starts to Memphis,
444;
En-
gagement at Memphis,
447;
Forrest returns to, and establishes his head-
quarters at, Grenada,
459.
Middle Tennessee Expedition (September i6th to October i6th, 1864)
Forrest starts from Verona, 462;

Fords the Tennessee,
463;
captures the
fort at Athens,
465;
the works at Sulphur Trestle taken,
471 ;
Action near
Richland Creek,
476;
Pulaski threatened,
477;
Buford detached toward
Huntsville,
479;
Forrest at Spring Hill, 480; Columbia threatened, 481;
Buford crosses the Tennessee, 4S6; Forrest reaches Florence, with heavy
Federal forces in pursuit, 486; Barteau holds the Federals in check at
Cypress Creek,
487;
being surrounded, he cuts his way through the Federal
lines,
489;
he crosses the Tennessee,
490;
rejoins Buford's Division at
Corinth,
491.
John'sonville Expedition (October i6th to November 17th, 1864)
Forrest's command in motion,

494;
the advance (Buford's Division) reaches
Paris Landing,
494;
the steamer Mazeppa captured,
495;
the gunboat
Undine captured,
497;
"Forrest's Cavalry Afloat," 5C0; successful opera-
xii Contents.
tions against the Federal depot at Johnsonville,
503;
Forrest ordered to
Middle Tennessee,
509;
forms a junction with Hood at Florence, Alabama,
5"-
Hood Campaign (November 21st to December 27th, 1864)
Hood sets out from Florence, with Forrest's Cavalry in advance,

511;
Action at Lawrenceburg (Buford and Jackson), 511; Chalijiers meets and
engages the enemy in his path,
512;
Buford and Jackson engage Hatch at
Campbellsville,
512; Forrest invests Columbia,
513;
Hood arrives in front
of Columbia,
514;
Forrest in pursuit toward Franklin, 516;
action at
Hurt's Cross-Roads,
516; Action at Spring Hill,
517;
the enemy passes
Hood at Spring Hill, and falls back to Franklin,
518; Battle of Franklin,
521;
Hood invests Nashville,
523;
Buford ordered to reduce block-houses
on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad,
523;
Forrest moves upon
Murfreesboro,
525;
Action at Murfreesboro on the 7th,
526;
Forrest retreats
from Murfreesboro via Columbia,
529;
Hood defeated at Nashville,
530;
Action at Hollow Tree Gap,
532;
the "mixing and mingling" six miles
south of Franklin,
534;
Engagement six miles south of Columbia,
537;
at
Richland Creek,
537;
at Anthony's Hill,
538;
at Sugar Creek,
540;
Federal
pursuit checked,
541
; Forrest's Cavalry crosses the Tennessee River at Bain-
bridge,
542;
Commentaries,
542.
The Final Campaign (December 29th, 1864, to May i6th, 1865)
Forrest's Cavalry at Corinth,

544;
Reorganization of Forrest's Cavalry,
545;
General Wilson takes the field from Chickasaw,
546;
Chalmers ordered to
Selma, Alabama,
547;
Jackson sets out from West Point, Mississippi, for
Montevallo, Alabama,
547;
Wilson detaches Croxton's Brigade to move
upon Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
548;
Roddy and Adams engage the enemy near
Montevallo,
548;
Crossland's Brigade meet the Federals,
548;
Forrest
dashes into a moving column of Federals with his staff and escort,
549;
Croxton routed by the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee,
550;
Wilson
detaches another brigade, under McCook, to form a junction with Croxton,
551
; the action at Bogler's Creek,
552;
the desperate hand-to-hand fighting
of Forrest and his staff and escort,
554;
the last charge of the Second and
Twenty-first Tennessee,
557;
Wilson attacks Forrest at Selma,
558;
the fall
of Selma,
559;
Forrest retreats to Marion, where he finds Chalmers and
Jackson, 561 ; Forrest establishes his Headquarters at Gainesville, Alabama,
562;
the End near at hand,
562; General Forrest's Farevêll Address to his
Troops,
563
; Forrest's Cavalry cease to exist, and return home on parole,
565;
the Closing Remarks of Lieutenant George F. Hager,
565.
APPENDIX A.
Biographical Sketches
General N. B. Forrest,
571;
General
J.
R. Chalmers,
573;
Lieutenant-
Colonel F. M. McNairy,
575;
Colonel
J.
D. Bennett,
576;
Colonel C. R.
Harteau,
578;
Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Morton, 5S1 ; E. O. Elliott,
583;
Rev. S. C. Talley,
584;
Surgeon
J.
W. Harrison, 5S7; Lieutenant T. C.
Atkinson, 588;
Lieutenant A. H. French, 5S9; Lieutenant P. A. Smith,
596;
Captain T. B. Underwood,
597;
Captain
J.
H. Duncan,
599;
Captain
T. M. Allison, 601; Captain M. W. McKnight, 603; Lieutenant H. L. W.
Turney, 606; Lieutenant
J.
S. Harrison, 607;
Lieutenant G. Love, 608;
Lieutenant F. W. Youree, 609;
Lieutenant
J.
M. Cantrell, 611; Lieutenant
E.
J.
Bullock, 612; Lieutenant
J.
K. Dodd, 612; Captain G. E. Seay,
613;
Lieutenant T.
J.
Carman, 615;
Captain John A. Brinkley, 616; Lieu-
tenant
J.
T. Austin, 617;
Lieutenant
J.
E. Denning, 618; Lieutenant
J.
N.
Penuel, 619;
Captain T. Puryear, 620; Captain
J.
M. Eastes, 622; Captain
B. H. Moore, 624;
Lieutenant George F. Hager,
625;
Lieutenant B. A.
High, 627;
Lieutenant F. M. McRee, 630;
Captain W. H. Harris and his
Twenty-five Men, 631.
APPEiNDIX B.
Sketch by John D. McLin, Editor IVeckly American
633
PORTRAITS.
Lieutenant-General N. B. Forrest Frontispiece.
R. R. Hancock
17
Colonel F. N. McNairy
;i^
Dr. Monroe Knight
77
Captain M. W. McKnight
*.
168
Sergeant
J.
C. McAdoo 171
Colonel
J.
D. Bennett 185
Lieutenant B. A. High
194
Lieutenant-Colonel G. II. Morton 198
Captain T. B. Underwood 281
General
J.
R. Chalmers 286
Lieutenant George Love
2^6
Lieutenant A. H. French
419
Private W. C. Hancock
424
Lieutenant George E. Seay
429
Lieutenant F. M. McRee
533
Lieutenant G. F. Hager
550
Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney ^
454
Sergeant A. B. McKnight
557
Sergeant
J.
D. McLin
633
\fo\u(x\e
I.
Skrceant R. R. HANCOCK, Co. C.
lURY
R. R. HANCOCK'S DIARY.
By the request of some of my friends and comrades,
I have, on this the i6th of
June, 1885, commenced re-
writing my War Diary for the purpose of having it
pubHshed in book form.
Unfortunately, the first month of my Diary has been
torn out and lost ; so I will have to state some things
from memory, without giving exact dates all the time.
IVedjiesday,
June
26th, 1861.Eighty-four men, hav-
ing previously organized themselves into a company
and elected T. M. Allison Captain, met. on the above
date, at Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee, for the
purpose of starting to Nashville to offer their services
to their native State for twelve months. The writer
was one of the eighty-four.
Notwithstanding that the above named period is now
nearly one-quarter of a century in the past, that day of
parting is still green in the memory of the surviving
soldiers and citizens of the Auburn vicinity.
Oh ! the thought of parting from our friends, rela-
tives, and especially our szveetJiearts, was enough to
make us feel sad, as we did not know that we would
ever see them again on earth.
After the "final farewell" to our friends "had been
said," we left Auburn in time to go (about twenty-three
2
18 E. E. Hancock's Diary.
miles) to Judge
Ridley's the first day. The
Judge lived
in Rutherford County, near Old Jefferson.
Tlnwsday, 2'jth.On arriving at Nashville, after a
ride of about twenty-two miles, we took quarters at the
fair grounds.
Friday, 28th.As Tennesseans were then offering
their services faster than the state was prepared to arm
and equip them, it was after hard begging that Gov-
ernor Isham G. Harris gave his consent to have our
company mustered into service ; and as he would not
receive more than seventy-six men, including the officers,
eight of our company had to return home.
/
About eleven o'clock a. m., the Auburn Company
(known afterward as the
"
Sangs
")
was sworn into
service by
J.
G. Picket.
The following- roll will be found to contain the names
of the seventy-six men who were mustered into the
service of the State of Tennessee for twelve months,
with the present
(1886)
address opposite the name of
each one livino-, so far as known. I have not been able
to learn whether those whose names are followed by an
asterisk (*) are dead or living
;
therefore, in our calcu-
lations hereafter, we will call this class the unaccounted
COMPANY ROLL
Allison, T. M., Captain. Killed at home in 1862.
Summar, N. W., First Lieutenant, Auburn, Tennessee.
Alexander, George, Second Lieutenant, Cedar Creek,
Texas.
Wilson, M. v., Third Lieutenant.*
Odom,
J. J.,f
First Sergeant. Died in West Tennessee
in 1885.
t
Those whose names are in small capitals were present at the surrender.
JUxVE, 1861.
19
WiDLARD, D. B., Second Sergeant, Auburn, Tennes-
see.
McLin,
J.
D., Third Sergeant, Nashville, Tenn.
Odom,
John
H., Fourth Sergeant, Auburn, Tennessee.
Wounded at Harrisburg.
Summar,
J.
N,, First Corporal, Auburn, Tennessee.
Davenport, George, Second Corporal, Auburn, Ten-
nessee. Wounded at Bear Creek Bridge.
Walker, Sam, Third Corporal, Smithville, Tennessee.
Lanear, Dick, Fourth Corporal.*
Thomas, C. F., Farrier. Cleburne, Texas. Wounded
at Fort Pillow in 1864.
Adamson, W. A., Smallman, Tennessee.
Adamson, Presley, Smallman, Tennessee.
Ashford, Cahal. Died at home in
June, 1862.
Barrett, Eli, Auburn, Tennessee. Captured in Sep-
tember,
1863, and taken to Camp Morton, Indiana.
Bogle,
J.
M., Avoca, Benton County, Arkansas.
Cooper,
J.
M. Died in 1883.
Cooper, A. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Cooper,
Jim,
Gallatin, Tenn.
Davenport, R. Died in West Tennessee, April
7,
1885. Wounded October 26, 1863.
Dougherty,
J.
R., Auburn, Tennessee.
Dougherty,
C, Columbia, Texas.
Dennls, Sam,* Arkansas. Made Second Lieutenant
in 1862, and wounded at Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Ewing, B. D., Lane, Hunt County, Texas.
Ewing, E. L., Lane, Hunt County. Texas. Wounded
at Columbia, Tenn.
Ewing, A. G. Committed suicide since the war.
Francis, A. H., Calf Creek, Searcy County, Arkan-
sas.
20 R. R. Hancock's Diary.
Gan,
Jim.
Killed by the Federals in Wilson County,
Tennessee.
Hancock, B.
A.,f
Auburn, Tennessee. Discharged
in 1862.
Hancock, R. R., i\uburn, Tennessee. Wounded Oc-
tober
30, 1864.
Hancock, W.
C.f
Killed at Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Hancock, C. E. Died in Franklin County, Alabama^
June 4,
1864.
Harrison, Dr.
J.
S., McMinnville, Tennessee. Elect-
ed Third Lieutenant in 1862, and wounded at Harris-
burg,
July 14, 1864.
Harrison, W. W. Killed at Memphis, August 21,
1864.
Hawkins, W. W. Died since the war. Wounded
at Okalona, and again at Fort Pillow, which was, per-
haps, the cause of his death.
Hawkins,
J.
E.
J.
Killed near Auburn, in 1864, by
Federals.
Hays,
J,
T. Died at home in 1861.
Hannaphin, Tim.*
Hearmon,
John.
Died at Mill Springs, Kentucky,
Jan. 6, 1862.
Hale, Josiah.*
Captured at Booneville, Mississippi,
May
30,
1862.
Jetton, Josh.
Died in 1885.
Jones, Jesse, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Kennedy,
J.
W. Died in Auburn,
July
26,
1873.
Kennedy, W. C, Auburn, Tennessee.
Kennedy, L. V. Died in Texas, April
23, 1885.
Knight, Monroe, Huntsville, Arkanas. Discharged
in 1 86 1.
t
B. A. and W. C. are brothers of the writer.
JuxE, 1861. 21
Keaton, Coon. Died in prison, on Rock Island.
Keaton, G. C, Smallman, Tennessee.
McKnight, M. W., Waxahachie, Texas.
f
McKniofht, A. B., Porterfield, Tennessee. Lost one
leg in 1865.
McKnight, L. W. Mortally wounded at Paducah,
Kentucky, March
25, 1864.
McKnight, D. C. Drowned since the war.
MiLLiGAN, W. H., Auburn, Tennessee.
Markham, A., Smallman, Tennessee.
Mullinax,
J.
B., Smallman, DeKalb County, Tennes-
see. Discharged in November, 1861.
McAdoo,
J.
C, Auburn, Tennessee.
Nelson, P.,* , Arkansas.
Odom, B. F. Killed at Paducah, March
25, 1864.
Odom, B. F. S., Hall's Hill, Tennessee.
O'CoNNER, Tom,* Corinth, Mississippi.
Purnell, L. T. Died since the war.
Rich, W. E., Round Top, Wilson County, Tennes-
see. Wounded two miles west of Harrisburg, Missis-
sippi,
July 13, 1864.
Richardson, M. Died at home in 1861 or
'62.
Stevens, W. C, , West Tennessee.
Stevens,
J.
W., Temperance Hall, DeKalb County,
Tennessee. Captured and paroled at Okalona, Missis-
sippi, and wounded at Paducah.
Stanly,
John.
Captured near home, and died in
prison at Fort Delaware.
Smith, Bob, Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee.
Discharged in November, 1861.
Summar, T. D. Died in 1871.
Thomas,
Jim
L., Greenvale, Wilson County, Tennessee
t
See Appendix A.
22 E. R. Hancock's Diary.
Tiirney, H. L. W.
f
Wounded at Fort Pillow and
at Memphis, August 21, 1864, and died in West Ten-
nessee, February 16, 1880.
Talley, Dick. Died since the war.
Willard, F. M., Milton, Rutherford County, Tennes-
see.
Womack, D.,*
,
Missouri.
Willard, W. B., Waxahachie, Texas.
To recapitulate, seven were killed, twenty have died,,
forty-one are living, and eight unaccounted fortotal,
seventy-six.
The following is as complete a list of the names of
those who joined the Auburn Company from time to
time during the war as I can now make out, after dili-
gent inquiry among my comrades
:
RECRUITS.
Alexander, G. B., Oak Point, Wilson County, Ten-
nessee.
Armstrong, Tom.*
Baxter, H. A. Died since the war.
Baxter,
J.
H. Died since the war.
Black, W. A., Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Black,
J.
F. Died since the war,
Barrett, A,, Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee.
Barlow,
Jack, Lascassas, Rutherford County, Ten-
nessee.
Barker, S. ("Babe"^, Milton, Tennessee.
Bradberry,
J,
Died since the war.
Barkley, T.
C*
, Texas.
Barkley,
John
T., Yorkville, Gibson County, Tennes-
see.
t
See Appendix A,
June, 1861. 23
Bryson, R. Captured near home, and died in prison
at Fort Delaware.
Bryson, E. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Cranor,Mose, Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Cavender,
J.
H., Dixon, Webster County, Kentucky.
Lost one leg at "Tory Fight," October 26, 1863.
Cummings, Tip, Woodbury, Cannon County, Ten-
nessee.
Champion,
J.
H., /\uburn, Tennessee.
Cooper, M. D. L.,* -, Missouri.
Davenport, William, Auburn, Tennessee.
Dougherty,
J.
M., Statesville, Wilson County, Ten-
nessee.
Duggin, P. L. Died August
29, 1867.
EwiNG, R. B. Died in Texas in
1876.
Elkins, T. D. ("Coon"), Woodbury, Tennessee.
Wounded at Paducah, Kentucky, March 25, 1864.
Ellidge,
J.
B., Woodbury, Tennessee.
Francis, M. H., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at
Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Francis,
J. J.
Wounded at Tupelo, Mississippi,
May
5,
1863, and at Harrisburg.
Flowers, A. W., Ray, Texas.
Francis, M.
C, Milton, Tennessee.
Francis, C. C, Auburn, Tennessee. Captured on
Hood's raid.
Francis,
J.
D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Garrison, C, Milton, Tennessee.
Goard,
J.
W. Died in 1884.
Grisham, O. N. Killed at Harrisburg, Mississippi,
July 14,
1864.
Grisham, Ben, Russellville, Franklin County, Ala-
bama.
24 R. E. Hancock's Diary.
Greer, John
J..
Auburn, Cannon County. Tennessee.
Hays,
John
W., Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee.
Herndon,
Joe
W.* Wounded at Harrisburg,
July
14, 1864.
Herndon,
John
L., , Mississippi.
Hurt, T. M.*
Hancock, R. M. Died since the war.
Jetton, A.
J..
Auburn, Tennessee.
Jetton, E., SmaUman, DeKalb County, Tennessee.
Knox, B. F., Milton, Tennessee.
Knight, Horace, Smallman, Tennessee.
Keaton, H., Smallman, Tennessee.
Keaton, William, Smallman, Tennessee.
LoRANCE, MncE, Porterfield, Rutherford County, Ten-
nessee. Wôunded at Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
McKnight,
Jim
Nute, Milton, Tennessee.
McKnight, A. G., Porterfield, Tennessee.
McAdoo,
J.
N. Died January 16, 1882.
McKnight,
John
N., Porterfield, Tennessee. W'ound-
ed at Paducah, Kentucky.
McWhirter, Dr. W. H., Webber's Falls, Indian Ter-
ritory.
McWhirter, S. A., Milton, Tennessee.
Milligan,
J.
A. Died since the war,
Mathes,
J.
R., Cainsville. Wilson County, Tennessee.
Newman,* .
Odom, James H., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at
Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Odom,
J.
W., Auburn, Tennessee.
Odom, W. F., Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Odom, H. C. (Red), Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded
at Memphis, August 21, 1864.
Odom.
J.
M. A,, Auburn, Tennessee.
June, 1861. 25
Owen,
J.
D., Auburn, Tennessee,
Owen, Nelse, Osage, Caryell County, Texas.
Odom, S. C, x\uburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Mud
Creek, and again at Paducah, Kentucky.
Odom, F. B., Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.
Parris,
Joe,
McMinnville, Tennessee.
Parris,
J.
(Sweet),* , Missouri.
Stevens, H. C, Bear Branch. DeKalb County, Ten-
nessee. Wounded near Cherokee, Alabama, October
21, 1863.
Sneed,
J.
H., Auburn, Tennessee. Captured and
paroled at Okalona, Mississippi, in December, 1862.
Stone,
J.
R. Died in August, 1885.
Stone,
J.,
Woodbury, Tenn.
Stone, William. Died since the war.
Stone,
J.
G. Died since the war.
Summar,
J.
D., x'\uburn, Tennessee.
Spurlock,
J.
M., Smallman, Tennessee.
Spicer, Sol.* Captured September, 1863,
and sent
to Camp Morton, Indiana.
Summar, M. P., Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas.
Thomas,
J.
H. Died since the war.
Thomas, A.
J.,
Honey Grove, Texas. Wounded at
Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Thomas, E. D., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded near
Cherokee, Alabama, October 21, 1863.
Thompson,
J.
B.,* Texas.
Tittle, Sam, Woodbury, Tennessee. Captured in
September, 1863,
and sent to Camp Morton, Indiana.
Tittle, Adam, McMinnville, Tennessee.
Tedder, Frank. Died since the war.
Warren, O.
J.,*
,
Mississippi.
Webb, W.
J.,
Aberdeen, Mississippi.
Willard, N., Fairfield, Texas. Wounded at Corinth,
October
5,
1862.
Walker, Tom.*
Wamack, Anderson. Captured near home, and died
in prison at Fort Delaware.
Wamack, W. L.,* , Missouri. Wounded
at Fort Pillow.
Willard,
J.
A., Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.
Of the Recruits, one was killed, seventeen have died,,
sixty-two living, and twelve unaccounted fortotal,
ninety-two.
Add the recruits to the original company, and the re-
sult will be as follows : Eight killed, thirty-seven died,
one hundred and three living, and twenty unaccounted
fortotal, one hundred and sixty-eight.
As several were wounded more than once, some
thirty-two of the company received between thirty-five
and forty wounds.
The above list speaks well for the industry and perse-
verance of Captain M. W. McKnight in keeping his
company well recruited, as well as for the popularity of
the company.
The
"
Sangs "
f
generally outnumbered any other
company in the regiment, and yet they were never con-
solidated with any other company. I learn from an old
muster-roll, which has been preserved by Lieutenant
J.
S. Harrison, that sixteen;]; of the original company
and thirty-five
J
of the recruitstotal, fifty-onewere
t
The above name (or rather as at first, "Sang Diggers") was given to the
Auburn Company rather as a term of derision
;
though, in the language of an
ancient general (Epaminondas), ''they did not derive any honor from the name>
but they made the name honorable."
I
By reference to the preceding rolls their names will be found printed in
small capitals.
June, 18G1. 27
present at the surrender of Forrest's Cavalry, May lo,
1865. The muster-roll referred to above is dated thus:
"
Near Sumterville, Alabama, May i, 1865." And upon
said roll I find the names of nineteen others, who are
accounted for as follows: Three
(J.
W. Webb, W. E.
Rich,* and T. D. Summer*) are reported "Detached
by order of Lieutenant-General Forrest;" two (A. G.
McKnight and B. D. Ewing *) are reported "Absent,
waiting on wounded
;
"
three (A. B. McKnight,* W. W.
Hawkins,* and R. R. Hancock*) are reported "Âbsent,
wounded;" six (Captain M. W. McKnight,* Lieuten-
ant H. L. W. Turney,* Privates E. L. Ewing,*
J.
H.
Cavender, Mat Francis and H. C. Odam) are reported
"Retired by order of
^
Medical Board;" three (A. G.
Ewing,*
J.
H. Baxter, and
John
N. McKnight) are re-
ported "Absent, sick," and two (E. D. Thomas and
J.
H. Thomas) are reported "Absent on parole."
Though I do not find upon said roll the names of any
of the Auburn Company
(J.
D. McLin,* C. C. Francis,
Eli Barrett,* and perhaps some others) who were in
prison when this muster-roll was made out, I suppose
they were omitted from the fact that our officers did
not expect to get paroles for those in prison. But,
omitting those in prison and the two already on parole,
there were sixty-eight of the Auburn Company paroled
at Gaine.sville, Sumter County, Alabama, May 10, 1865.
(Gainesville is situated in the center of the western
border of Alabama, on the west bank of the Tombip"bee
River, about forty-five miles southeast of Columbus,
Mississippi.) Besides the eight killed, only about nine
of the company died during the war.
Alfred Hancock, Dr. G. C. Flowers, William A.
*
These (twelve) were members of the original company.
Groom,
John Overall. George Owen, George Turney,
and Captain Sam Y. Barkley were with the Auburn
Company from time to time during the war, and did
more or less service, though they were not really mem-
bers of the company. S. Y. Barkley, the last named
above, was Captain of a company in Colonel E. S.
Smith's regiment; and after that regiment disbanded
Captain Barkley, though remaining independent, did
service with the Auburn Company a good portion of
the time from the fall of 1862 to the close of the war.
We remained at Nashville about five or six days.
As they wânted our boots made by the penitentiary
hands, we went there and had our measures taken. We
moved from Nashville to Thorn Hill, near Goodletts-
ville, some ten or twelve miles north-east of Nashville,
where we found the four following cavalry companies
-encamped
:
The following is the muster-roll of Captain Frank N.
McNairy's Company (A):
McNairy, F. N., Captain, d.
Harris, W. H., First Lieutenant, 1.
Brown, C. W., Second Lieutenant, 1.
Hicks, E. D., Third Lieutenant, 1.
Morton, G. H., First Sergeant, 1.
Roberts, William, Second Sergea t, 1.
Maxey, William O., Third Sergeant, d.
Britton, William, Fourth Sergeant, 1.
Drane,
J.
R
,
First Corporal, d.
Miliron, A. A., Second Corporal, killed at Milton.
Shute,
J.
jNL, Third Corporal, 1.
Craighead, W.
J.,
Fourth Corporal, d.
Bender, John, Bugler, 1.
Winfrey, Andrew, Bugler, 1.
Atkinson, T. C, d. Anderson,
J.
S., d.
Abbay, R. H., d. Abbay, R. H., d.
June, 1861. 2^
Anderson,
J.
S., d.
Aiken, George, d.
Adams, R. H., d.
Bolton, Alex., 1.
Blackman, Hays, 1.
Bush, G. W., d.
Brien, W. A., 1.
Buchanan,
J.
R., d.
Bennington, Thomas, 1.
Crawford, Scott, 1.
Curran, Pat, d.
Clark, Charles, 1.
Curran,
J.
M., d.
Campbell, Joe, d.
Dashiells, G. W., d.
*
Drane, Tom, 1.
Dodd, B. P., 1.
Edmondson, Henry, 1.
Edmondson, W. A., d.
Ferguson, Tom, d.
French, A. H., 1.
Grisham, W.
J.,
1.
Grififin, Blank.
Graves, W. H., 1.
Guthrie, W.*
Hamill, M.^
Hamill, A. C.; d,
Hope, R. K., d.
Haile, G. E.*
Hancock, G. D.*
Hallowell, B. F., 1.
Hendricks, A. P., 1.
Jackson, Andrew.
-i=
Joplin, Thomas, 1.
The following is the muster-
commanded by Captain W. L.
Horn, W. L, , Captain, 1
Kimbro, Thomas, 1.
Martin, C. C.f
Marshall, E. S., 1.
Morris, R. E. K.^
Mathews, S. G , 1.
Marchbank, Chase, 1.
Nolan, M. D. A., d.
Natcher, W. K., k.
Puckett, James.
Paul,
J.
A., 1.
Payne, A. B., d.
Porch, W. A., 1.
Guinn, W.
J.
Ridley,
J.
L., 1.
Ridley, G. C, 1.
Sykes,
J.
W., d.
Steele,
J.
W., 1.
Smith, Nat., 1.
Smith,
J.
M.
Smith, P. A., 1.
Steele, William.
Smith, E. M., d.
Smithwick, George, d.
Shields, John, 1.
Safforans, T. M. , d.
Shilcut, T. H., 1.
Tate, Zack, d.
Tucker.*
Thomas, George, 1.
Treanor,
J.
D.
Vaughn,
J.
H., 1.
Vaughn,
J.
T., 1.
Williams, N. B.*
roll of the company (B)
Horn
:
t
Killed at Milton, Tennessee:
J
Killed at Winchester, Kentucky.
Gasby, L. L. , First Lieutenant, d.
Calvert, W. W., Second Lieutenant, d.
Craft, W. H., Third Lieutenant, d.
Horn, F. W., First Sergeant, 1.
Oswell, Nick, Second Sergeant.
Pickett,
J. C,
Third Sergeant, d.
Horn, E. H.,* Fourth Sergeant, 1.
Frankland,
J.,
First Corporal,
p.
Rhodes, William, Second Corporal, 1.
Singleton, H. E., Third Corporal, d.
Polk, Richard, Fourth Cor]joral, 1.
Tate, James, Ensign, k.
Johnson, E. C, Bugler, 1.
Atilla, Frank, Drill Master, 1.
Armstrong. Eli, d.
Bowman, James, 1.
Bowles, W. E., d.
Bowles, Thomas, 1.
Brooks, E., d.
Breedlove, Stanford, 1.
Cantrell, W. H., d.
Carpenter, William, d.
Cash, Jeff, d.
Cooke,
J.
E., d.
Figg, r" M., 1.
Ford, T.*
Franklin,
J.,
d.
Graves, John, 1.
Green,
J.*
Hager, B. D. , 1.
Hook, L N., d.
Hunley, Ben, d.
Hays, Mike P,, 1.
Henry,
J.
P.^^
Jackson,
J.
P., 1.
Johnson, Lafayette, d.
Johnson, W. D.. 1.
Kenner, John, k.
Kittle, Richard, 1.
Kelly, Pat.*
Little, David.*
Morton, S. W.*
Mehrenstein, M., 1.
Mann, G. W., 1.
Miller, Aug., d.
Mahoney, John.*
Meyer,
John,
1.
Mahan, Mike.*
McKnight, W. G., d.
Nicholson, M. R., 1.
Nellan, M.*
Newbern, Thomas, 1.
O'Brien, John, 1.
O'Donnell, John.*
Overstreet,
J.
L., 1.
O'Hara, Roderick, d.
Overbee, Coleman,*
Patton, F., 1.
Powers, Pat.*
Runnells, Sam.*
Rhodes, D. C, 1.
Rhodes, M., d.
Singleton, A.
J.,
d.
Spillers, L. , 1.
Stull,
J.,
1.
Sutton,
J. J.,
1.
June, 18G1. 31
Squares, Charles, d.
Stevenson,
J.
F., 1.
Searls, Charles, 1.
Sullivan, Pat.*
Tarpley, Robert, k.
Thompson, S., d.
Webb,
J.
B., k.
Wilson, Wallace, 1.
Woodruff, John, 1.
Wyatt, Thomas, d.
Wright,
H.'i'
Wittey, Horatio, d.
Yates, Thomas, d.
Zachary, Wash, 1.
The following is the roll
f
of Company
C.J
First
Battalion Tennessee Cavalry :
Ewing, William, Captain, d.
Bond, Burk, First Lieutenant, d.

House, Isaac, Second Lieutenant, d.
Wyatt,
Joe,
Third Lieutenant, d.
Parrish, William, First Sergeant, d.
Andrews, William.
Allen, John, Sr.
Allen, John, Jr.
Bostick, Jonn, 1.
Brown, John.
Blythe, James.
Boyd, Thad.
Boyd, D.
J.
Beech, David.
Bailey, Pat.
Core,
J.
G.
Crite,
J.
M.
Clouston, \\'.
G.
Cowles, James.
Crow,
J.
M.
Childress, George.
Childress, William.
Cathrenn, H.
Crump, G. R.
Crump, Marcus.
Denton, James.
Davis, James, d.
Dodson, Andrew.
Dodson, Byrd.
Dodson, Tim.
Duff, William, d.
Elliott,
Joe.
Ellis, John.
Fleming, Lem.
Franklin, James.
Hughes, James.
Hughes, Lee.
Hughes, Brice.
Hughes, Henry.
Hunt, Turner.
House, Mann, d.
Jordan, G. M.
Merrett,
J.
H.
Merrett, David.
Mosley, Sam.
Mosley, Robert.
Maney, H.
J.,
d.
t
I am under obligations to
J.
L. McGann for this roll.
j
This company was from Williamson County, the other three from Nash-
ville, except a few Kentuckians in Company D.
Resigned at Cumberland Ford.

32 E. B. Hancock's Diary.
Mebane, Alex.
McGan,
J- L., 1.
Mallory, Clem.
Mallory, John.
McLane, Ben.
Mullins, Doge.
Marshall, William.
Malone, Hiram.
McDowell, Sam.
McCrea,
.
McCallister,
Joe.
North,
J.
A., 1.
Oden, Thomas.
Orum, James.
Pollard, N. N.
Reid, W. W.
Spivy, R.
Smithson, James.
Smithson, G. W.
Sounders, Mark;
TuU, Diidle.
Tichnenar, G. AV.
Tullan,
James.
Underwood, T. B., 1.
Williams, Wm.
Williams, N. C.
Wray,
J.
Weli, Sam.
I have failed to get a full report of the living and
dead of Ewing's Company.
The following is the muster-roll of Captain E. D.
Payne's Company (D)
:
Payne, E. D., Captain, d.
Petway, R. G., First Lieutenant, 1.
Ryan,
J.
B., Second Lieutenant, 1.
Birdwell,
J.
W. , Third Lieutenant.*
Dawson, W. R., First Sergeant.-''
Smith, W. H., Second Sergeant, d.
Bevill,
J.
M., Third Sergeant.*
Hickman,
J.
A., Fourth Sergeant.*
Knote, T. L. , Fifth Sergeant, d.
Walker, E. R., First Corporal.*
Petty, S. H., Second Corporal.*
Sales, W.
J.,
Third Corporal.*
Buckner,
J.
H., Fourth Corporal.*
Johnson, C, Farrier, 1.
Maratta, S., Bugler, d.
Cozatt, G. W., Bugler, d.
Anderson, Alex.* Blackwell,
J,
W.*
Armstrong, H. C, 1. Bledsoe, C. P., d.
Adams, G. W.*
Bradley, H. C*
Alexander,
J.
D.* Bradley, William, d.
Lieutenant-Colonel F. N. McNAIRV, Commander First Battalion.
June, 1801. 33
Blair, S. S., 1.
Brien, W. A., 1.
Caldwell,
J.
R.*
Carlisle, VV. G., d.
Camperry, R.
J.*
Carler, William.*
Cavender,
J.
C. , 1.
Cayee, F.
J.*
Dobbs,
J.
R., 1.
Drane, Thomas.
-'-
Duncan,
J.
H., d.t
Forehand, Thomas.*
Fox, Thomas.
Glasco, C. L. , d.
Good, G. H.*
Houston,
J.
I)., 1.
Hunter, William, 1.
Haynes,
J.
C*
Head, Robert.*
Hutchinson, W. B., 1.
Hester,
J.
W., d.
Hill,
J.
B.*
Harbring,
J.*
Hays, E. C*
Heiss, Henry, d.
Handy, G. M.*
Handy, D. S.*
Hickle, G. R. H.*
Jones, Joseph, d.
Jones,
J.
M.*
Knott, R. S., 1.
Kirkpatrick,
J.
W.
Marks, W. P., k.
Mayfield, W.*
McCartney, L. W., d.
Nelson, N. R., d.
Polk,
J.
A., 1.
Pendergras, James.*
Petty,
J.
M.*
Rhodes,
J.
B., d.
Ring, A. N.*
Richardson,
J.
R.*
Robertson,
J.
A.*
Smith, W. B.*
Steele, E. F.*
Skeggs, C. H., 1.
Underwood, F.
J.*
Williams, A.
J.*
Whittey, D.
J.*
White, Edward.*
Washburn,
J.
M., d.
Woods, N.*
West, E. M.*
At Thorn Hill, durinor the first week of
July,
the five
companies previously mentioned were organized into a
battallion, known as the,
FIRST BATTALION OF TENNESSEE CAVALRY,
by electing- the following field and staff officers :
Frank N. McNairy, Lieutenant-Colonel.
William Malcomb, Major.
E, D. Hicks, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
t
Made Captain at Cumberland Ford.
M. W. McKnight, Sergeant-Major.
Dr. Isaac House, Surgeon.
G. M. Fogg, Acting Quartermaster.
William Britton, Assistant Quartermaster.
Ramsey, Commissary.
John
Bender, Bugler.
As the Captain of Company A was elected Lieuten-
ant-Colonel, and the Third Lieutenant of the same
company was made Adjutant, therefore, by election,
W. Hooper Harris became Captain, and Hays Black-
man First Lieutenant, and George H. Morton was made
Third Lieutenant of Company A in December, 1861.
A few days after the First Battalion had been organ-
ized at Thorn Hill, it moved from there to Camp
Jack-
son, near Hendersonville, some five or six miles east of
the former camp.
News having reached Auburn, Cannon County, that
the First Battalion would start to East Tennessee in a
few days, quite a number of the friends and relatives of
our company (Allison's) paid us a visit, about the . 24th
of
July,
at Camp Jackson. They brought trunks and
boxes filled with "good things" to eat. How, for the
next three or four days, we did enjoy the company of
our friends and relatives, as well as eatinor the orood
things they brought for us ! Had I an eloquent pen I
would here use it in describing those few but bright
days. They were, in comparison with the rest of our
soldier life, like an oasis in a great desert.
On the morning of the 28th most of our friends set
out on their return home, and the three companies en-
listed at Nashville (Harris's, Horn's, and Pa)ne's) had
previously gone to that place to visit relatives and
August, 18G1. 35
friends before starting eastward. Allison's and Ewing's
Companies were still at Camp Jackson.
Tuesday, /illy joth. Having received our clothing,
saddles, and one month's pay, we were busy making
the necessary preparations for our anticipated march.
Wednesday,
Jist.
Two companies (C and E) of the
First Battalion, setting out from Camp Jackson, passed
throuufh Gallatin, crossed Cumberland River at Wood's
Ferry, and camped for the night one mile and a half
from the river, on the Lebanon road. The other three
companies, starting from Nashville, moved -by a differ-
ent route, crossing the Cumberland at Carthage, and
uniting with us at Livingston.
Thursday, Aug. ist.
We (-Ewing's and Allison's

Companies) moved on through Lebanon and bivouacked
seven miles beyond, on the Livingston road.
Friday, 2d. The two companies marched on through
New Middleton, crossed the Caney Fork River at
Trousdale's Ferry, and camped on the east bank of
that stream.
Saturday, jd.Moving on through Chestnut Mound,
we encamped in quite a rough section of country, in
Putnam County, after a march of about twenty-one
miles.
Stmday, 4th.We made a short march of about
twelve miles, and bivouacked at a beautiful place within
fourteen miles of Livingston.
Monday, ^th.We moved on to Camp Zollicoffer.
about two miles north-west of Livingston. Here we
found the Twenty-fifth Tennessee Infantry, Colonel S.
S. Stanton's Regiment. And about this time, or soon
after, the Twenty-eighth, Colonel
J.
P. Murray's Regi-
ment, was organized at this camp. The other three
companies of our battalion joined us here. After rest-
ing one day at Camp ZoUicoffer, the whole battalion
took up the line of march again. (Beg pardon, dear
readerright here I find another leaf of my Diary
gone.) However, from Livingston the First Battalion
marched east to Jamestown, thence south-east to Mont-
gomery, then the county seat of Morgan County, and
thence four miles east, through Wartburg, now the
county seat of Morgan, to Camp Schuyler, arriving at
the last place mentioned on the 14th of August, where
we remained one week.
We found that a majority of the men through this
portion of East Tennes'see had either crossed over into
Kentucky to join the Federal army or hid out in the
woods. It was reported, before reaching Montgomery,
that we would meet a considerable force of
"
Home
Guards" at that place, but they left before we got
there. We saw one woman and one child as we passed
through the county seat of Morgan County, but not a
single man was to be seen. A "Union" man who re-
mained at home and attended to his own business we
did not molest, but we arrested those who were hiding
out from home or thought to be preparing to go north,
if
IVe could
find
them.
Thursday, i^th.Seventy-five of our battalions set
out from Camp Schuyler to go to Knoxville, about forty
miles east, with some prisoners. They returned the
I 7th.
The measles broke out in camp while at Camp Schuy-
ler.*
'J.
C. McAdoo and brother Will (Company E) had the measles, and went
home from this camp. Brother Ben went with them.
September, 18G1. 37
Wednesday, 21st. McNairy moved his battalion from
Camp Schuyler, about thirty miles north, to Huntsville,
the county seat of Scott County. This was the day of
the noted
"
Bi"- Auorust " freshet. It rained so much that
our waiôn train did not get to Huntsville until next
day. We took shelter in the court-house.
Companies A and D were detached on the 25th :xnd
sent back to Camp Schuyler.
TJiiLrsday, 2ytJi. The writer and a few others were
sent to a gap in the mountain, about twelve miles north
of Huntsville and within three miles ol the Kentucky
hue, to watch lor a Federal paymaster whom Madame
Rumor had said would pass through that section. We
had only been stationed a few hours, however, when
Colonel McNairy, having received orders to move to
Jamestown the next day, sent for us to return to camp
immediately, though, on account of rain and high water,
we remained at Huntsville three days longer.
Scott was rather a poor county, and as the people
were mostly "Union," they were not willing to divide
rations with "Rebs"; therefore we suffered more for
want of rations while at Huntsville than anywhere else
during the war, while in camp.
Saturday,
Jisi.Companies B, C and E very gladly
bid Huntsville adieu, and, moving westward, bivouacked
on the Jamestown road.
Sujiday, September ist.
McNairy moved on to and

camped for the night at Jamestown.
Monday, 2d.Passing down Cumberland Mountain,
the three companies bivouacked at Camp McCinnis, on
Wolf River, some ten miles north of Jamestown.
As I was sick of the measles, I remained for a week
38 R. E. Hancock's Diart.
with one Mr. Lathan, who Hved one mile from Camp
McGinnis. One of my comrades,
J.
L. Thomas, re-
mained with me.
Thursday
,
^tli. McNairy moved from Camp McGin-
nis to Livingston, where he remained about five days.
Monday, gih.
J. L. Thomas and I set out from Mr.

Lathan's to hunt our command. After a ride of about
twenty-four miles, we found our Company at Monroe,
in Overton County, six or eight miles north-east of Liv-
ingston, on their way to Knoxville. The other two
companies, B and C, were beyond Livingston.
Brother Ben, who had taken brother Will home from
Camp Schuyler, rejoined the company. It was about
this time that Captain Payne left the battalion, and
Duncan was made Captain of Company D.
TiLesday, lotJi. After a march of about sixteen miles,
our company (E) went into camp within three miles of
Jamestown.
We are now marching over the same road and in the
^same direction that we did in August. The other two
companies are coming on. I suppose that we were sep-
arated as a matter of convenience in procuring forage
for our horses.
Wednesday, nth.Marching on through Jamestown,
thence south-east, we encamped for the night near one
Mr. Hurst's. We had camped at the same place as we
passed up about one month previous to this.
Thursday, 12th.We marched on to and encamped
at Montgomery.
Companies B and C (Harris's and Ewing's) caught
up with our company (E). Here we rested one day.
September, 1801. 39
Saturday, i^tJi. \w the saddle early, we again took
up the line of march eastward. Passing through Wart-
burg, we soon arrived at Camp Schuyler, where we
found the other two companies, A and D. They had
been sent to this camp from Huntsville, the 25th of
August. These two companies, having been previously
notified to be ready to move, now fell in, and the whole
battalion continued moving eastward.
We camped for the night in Anderson County, within
twenty-two miles of Knoxville.
Sunday, 13th. The battalion
*
passed on through
Knoxville and encamped about one mile and a half east
of town, at Camp Cummings.
On the above date General Albert Sidney Johnston
assumed command of this department (No.
2),
which
embraced the States of Tennessee and Arkansas and
that part of Mississippi west of the New Orleans,
Jack-
son and Great Northern and Central Railroad ; also
the military operations in Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas,
and the Indian country immediately west of Missouri
and Arkansas, by issuing the following order from de-
partment headquarters, at Nashville, Tennessee:
By virtue of special orders, No.
149,
of September 10, 1861, from
the Adjutant and Inspector General's office at Richmond, the under-
As
J. J.
Odoni and I were on the puny list, we stopped to rest and take
dinner wilh a Frenchman, within fonr miles of Knoxville. The family were
threat "Rebs," so it seemed to lie with pleasure that they did all they could to
make us comfortable.
It so happened that our host was a preacher. Some other French families
who lived in the neighborhood had collected there to hear him preach. As
some of them did not understand English, he preached in French. I "heard
but did not understand
"
a single word of that sermon. We had a splendid
dinner, and we had now been soldiering long enough to appreciate a good din-
ner. Among other nice things, a glass of wine of their own make was served
to each.
Odoni and I went to camp late that afternoon.
signed assumes command of the military department thereliy created.
A. S. Johnston, General."^'-
Brigadier- General F. K. ZoUicoffer had been in com-
mand of the District of East Tennessee since about the
first of August, with headquarters at Knoxville.
His brigade was now composed of nine regiments of
infantry and lour battaHons of cavalry, as follows
:
Abstract
fr
0)11 Repo7''t
of
Brigadier- General Zollicojjer s
command^ at Knoxville, Tennessee, September
75,
1S61.
TROOPS.
<
<
INFANTRY RKCI M ENTS.
Sixteenth Alabama (Woods)
FouiTeenlh Mississippi (Baldwin)
Fifteenth Mississippi (Stathani)
Eleventh Tennessee (Rains)
Seventeenth Tennessee (Newman)
Nineteenth Tennessee (Cummings)
Twentieth Tennessee (Battle)
[Fourth] Tennessee (Churchvvell)
[Third] Tennessee (Lillard)
Unorganized, estimated
CAVALRY BATTALIONS.
First Tennessee (McNairy)
Second Tennessee (Branner), estimated..
Third Tennessee (Brazelton), estimated..
Fourth Tennessee (McClellan), estimated
354
5'
630
677
685
719
732
654
701
700
361
490
540
500
867
929
912
735
729
S21
795
777
802
800
370
530
560
570
8,594 10,194
897
1-043
1,043
891
900
941
876
850
948
925
393
550
600
600
11,457 t
Churchwell's Regiment, as well as other portions of
Zollicoffer's Brigade, was totally unarmed. Only a part
of his brigade was now at Knoxville, for on the 16th
instant ZoUicoffer writes thus to A. S. Johnston:
'Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 407.
t
Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 409,
September, IHOJ. 41
There are i)r()l)al)ly by this time tVuir regiments at Cumberland
Ford [Kentucky] and a tifth at the gaj) filteen miles this side. A
sixth will probably be moved up by the 21st or 22d.''-
NEUTRALITY OF KENTUCKY.
Notwithstanding Kentucky had been claiming to be
neutral, she had not only allowed F"ederal soldiers to
camp upon her soil, but her citizens were organizing
and arming themselves to aid the Federal Government.
On the loth instant General G. H. Thomas assumed
command of a Federal brigade which had been pre-
viously assembled at Camp Dick Robinson, in Garrard
County, Kentucky.
General U. S. Grant, with two regiments of infantry
and four pieces of artillery, had taken possession of
Paducah, Kentucky, as early as the 6th of September.
Owing to the menacing movements of the Federals
down the Mississippi River, the Confederates (by order
of General L. Polk, who was then in command of the
Second Department) landed at Hickman, Kentucky, on
the night of the third, and at Columbus about the 5th.
It had been, and was still, the policy of the Confed-
eracy to respect the neutrality of Kentucky so long as
the same was respected by the Federal Government, as
the following dispatches will show
:
Richmond, September
4,
1861.
General Polk, Memphis, Tennessee :
News has reached here that General Pillow has landed his troops
at Hickman, Kentucky. Order their prompt withdrawal from Ken-
tucky.
L. P. Walker, Secretary
of JVar.f
After explaining to the President that a previous
movement of the Federals down the Mississippi River
"Rebellion J'ecords, Vol. IV.,
p. 195.
"("Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
pp.
180 ami j8i,
42 E. K. Hancock's Diary.
had been the cause of his ordering General Pillow into
Kentucky, General Polk received the following dis-
patch :
Richmond, September
4,
1861.
General Polk:
The necessity justifies the action. Jefferson Davis.
The following dispatches and replies will explain
themselves :
Nashville, September
13,
1S61.
To His Exeelleney Jefferson
Davis :
On the 4tli instant I sent Jolin Marshall, Andrew Ewing and Dr.
Bowling as commissioners from Tennessee to Kentucky. They re-
turned last night, and think it of the highest importance that our
troops be withdrawn They say withdrawal secures to us majority in
the State. If not withdrawn, overwhelming majority against us and
a bloody contest. They think our withdrawal secures withdrawal of
Federal troops and saves the State. They are able and reliable men.
I submit their report for your consideration.
IsHAM G. Harris.*
Richmond, September
13,
1861.
Governor Harris^ Nashville, Tennessee :
Movement to Columbus was reported to me as a defensive measure,
rendered necessary by the descent of Federal trooi)s. As a necessity
it was sanctioned. If they can be safely withdrawn, it would con-
form to my declared policy of respect for the neutrality of Kentucky.
General A. S. Johnston has been directed to confer with you at Nash-
ville. Security to Tennessee and other parties of the Confederacy is
tiie [irimary object. To this all else must give way.
Jefferson Davis.*
Knoxville, September
14,
1861.
Adjutant- General Cooper, \^Riehmond\:
Governor Harris and General Buckner telegraphed me if possible
to arrest the movement of which I apprised you on the 10th. f It is
*
RebelHon Records, Vol. IV., p. 190.
t
On the above date lie apprised Cooper that he expected, on the 12th, to
have three regiments at Cumberland Ford and three other regiments there as
soon as they could be withdrawn from other posts in East Tennessee.
Septembkk, 18G1. 43
too late to arrest. To withdraw would be unfortunate, unless the
Federal forces which menace us will agree to withdraw. I have in-
formed (Governor Magufifin (of Kentucky(, through Governoi Harris,
I will withdraw on this condition. F. K. Zollicofker,
Brigadier- General.
*
Richmond, September
14,
1861.
General Zollicoffcr,
Knoxville, Tennessee :
Your letter of the j oth received. The military consideration
clearly indicates the forward movement which you i)ro[i(xsf. The
[political condition of Kentucky affects the determination of this (|ues-
tion. Of that you are better informed than ourselves, and as you are
supposed to have conferred with General A. S. Johnston, the matter
is left to your discretion. S. Cooi'EK,
Adjutant and Inspector-General.
'\
The following is an extract from a letter, dated
Clarksville, September 15th, written by the Hon., G. A.
Henry and addressed to President Davis:
The neutrality of Kentucky has been all the time a cloak to enaljle
the Lincoln party there to hide their real designs to arm the friends
of Lincoln and to disarm the Southern Rights party. We ought to
strike now. A step backward would be fatal, in my opinion.
J
While at Knoxville our battalion was transferred from
the State to the Confederate service.
Some of Allison's Company, who went home from
Camp McGinnis and Livingston, returned to camp at
Knoxville on the i8th.
Having set out from Knoxville on the 17th, General
Zollicoffer arrived at Cumberland Ford, or Camp Buck-
ner, on the 19th, and on the same date he wrote to
General A. S. Johnston, Columbus, Kentucky, thus:
An advance force set out last night [under Colonel
J.
A. Battle],
about eight hundred strong, entered Barboursville, eighteen miles
Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 190.
t
Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 190.
X
p. 193.
from here, about daylight, where they found abuut three hundred of
the enemy, and a fight ensued, in which we killed twelve and took
two prisoners. We lost one killed, Lieutenant Powell, of Colonel
Cuniniings' Regiment, one fatally wounded, and three slightly
wounded. The enemy fled preci])itately. The number of his
wounded unknown.*
Friday, 20tli. Being ordered to move his battalion
to Cumberland Ford, Colonel McNairy set out from
Camp Cummings, near Knoxville, about six i'. m., with
Harris's (A), Payne's (D), and Allison's (E) companies,
and after a march of thirteen miles he camped for the
night. The other two companies (B and C) were or-
dered to follow in about three
days.f
Saturday, 21st.After a short march of about sixteen
miles, the three companies bivouacked in Union County,
four and a half miles north of Maynardville.
Sunday^ 22d. In the saddle early, we marched some
twenty-eight miles, and halted for the night in Claiborne
County, within three miles of Cumberland Gap.
Monday. 2jd.We crossed Cumberland Mountain at
the Gap. Here we passed out of Tennessee, across
the corner of Virginia, and into Kentucky in going,
perhaps, a little over one hundred yards. Virginia cor-
ners at Cumberland Gap, a little west of the road.
Some grand mountain scenery met our view at the
Gap. We saw bluffs and peaks from one thousand to
seventeen hundred feet hig^h.
Passing on fifteen miles beyond the Gap, crossing the
three
"
Log Mountains," we encamped at Camp Buck-
ner (Cumberland Ford), in Knox County, Kentucky.
Rebellion Records, vol. iv.,
p. 199.
t
As I was yet ([iiite feeble, haviiis.,' just recovered from an attack of measles,
brothe. Iên and
I put ui> onlv three nijle^ fmni io\\n,
September, 1801. 45
IVednesday, 2^//i. Harris's (B) and Ewiug's (C) com-
panies arrived from Knoxville and rejoined the rest of
McNairy^s Battalion at Camp Buckner.
Besides our battalion, General Zollicoffer now had
with him at Camp Buckner four regiments of infantry
(Statham, Rains, Cummings, and Battle), five cavalry
companies (three of Branner's Battalion and two of
Brazelton's), and one artillery company of six-pounders,
commanded by Captain Rutledge. Colonel Newman's
Regiment was at Cumberland Gap. The Sixteenth
Alabama (Wood) and the Fourth Tennessee (Church-
well) Regiments of infantry, and McClellan's Battalion
of cavalry and half of Branner's were left at Knoxville*
There were stationed at various points in East Tennes-
see some other troops, mostly unarmed.
About six days previous to this, General Zollicoffer
had, according- to instructions received from General
A. S. Johnston, ordered the Fourteenth Mississippi
(Colonel Baldwin) and the Third East Tennessee
(Colonel Lillard) Regiments of infantry to move to
Camp Trousdale, to reinforce General S. B, Buckner,
who was then in command of the Central Division of
Kentucky, with headquarters at Bowling Green.*
General Zollicoffer had learned that there was a large
quantity of salt at the salt works on Goose Creek, in
Clay County, thirty-five miles north of Camp Buckner
and eighteen miles east of a camp of Home Guards
variously estimated at from six hundred to fifteen hun-

dredat Laurel Bridge, in Laurel County, some thirty-
eight miles north-west of Camp Buckner and two miles
south-east of London. As our General had decided to
send a detachment to capture the salt above named, and
*
p. 199.
also another detachment in the direction oi this Federal
encampment at Laurel P)ridge to attract attention and
mask the movement of the first, he therefore issued the
following" special orders
:
Brigade Headquarters,
Camp Buckner, September
25,
t86i.
Colonel James E. Rains will march at four o'clock to-morrow
morning, via Barhonrsville, to Laurel Bridge, on the London road,
with his regiment, provisioned for six days, three rations of which
shall be cooked, leaving his tents in this encampment. Colonel Mc-
N.iiry's command will accompany him or follow him, by a right-hand
road crossing Laurel Creek about two miles above the bridge. Colo-
nel R. will have command, and will dislodge a supposed force of the
enemy at the bridge by attacking simultaneously with infantry and
cavalry at both ends of the bridge. He will be furnished a guide,
who will give him information of some arms, which he will capture,
if practicable. He will take with him also Lieutenant Falcand's sec-
tion of artillery. A battalion of Colonel Statham's infantry, with
three companies of Colonel Branner's cavalry, will be posted on the
road to be pursued by Colonel McNairy, about ten miles back, to
give support, if necessary.
Simultaneously, Colonel Cummings' Regiment, with two compa-
nies of Colonel Brazelton's cavalry, will escort a train of wagons to
the Goose Creek Salt Works, sixteen or eighteen miles east, in Clay
County, to load with salt.
The different detachments will communicate by express messen-
gers with each other and with me, and when the salt train returns all
will return to this encampment.
Much is trusted to Colonel Rains' discretion in whatever may
transpire on the way.
F. K. Zollicoffer, Brigadier-General.'^^
*
The above order fell into the hands of the Federals (how I know not) and
on the 3d of October it was sent by T. T. Garrard, who was Colonel of the
Third Kentucky Regiment and in command at Camp Wildcat, or Rockcastle
Hills, to CJeneral G. H. Thomas, who was in command at Camp Dick Robin-
son, some thirty-five miles beyond Wildcat. At the same time Garrard wrote
to Thomas tlius (italics mine) :
"I have no information in regard to the rebels more than I wrote you, ex-
cept the inclosed order of General Zollicoffer, which I have no doubt is genu-
September, 1861.
47
Thursday, 26th.According to ZoUicoffer's orders of
yesterday, the several detachments named (except
Companies B and C of McNairy's BattaHon that did
not move to Barboursville till the next day), marched
(sixteen miles) from Camp Buckner to Barboursville,
the county seat of Knox County, Kentucky, leaving-
their tents at the former place.
It was said that only three families remained in town,
and this showed the strong "Union sentiments" of that
town. Our men put up in deserted houses.
f
Friday, 2jth.We remained at Barboursville. Colo-
nel Rains ordered his demi-brigade to cook three days'
rations and be ready to move early the next morning.
We were now in twenty miles of the enemy's camp at
Laurel Bridge. Col. Brown, who lived near London,
was in command of the Home Guards at that camp.
Colonel Wolford, with a part of his regiment, was also
in that vicinity.
Saturday, 28th.According to previous instructions
(see under 25th instant), Col. Rains, with his regiment,
McNairy's Battalion and Falcond's section of artillery,
moved out from Barboursville in the direction of Laurel
Bridge, while Colonel Cummings, with his detachment
and about fifty wagons, moved out for the Salt Works,
and Colonel Statham moved so as to support either of
the other detachments if necessary.
Colonel McNairy was ordered to take the advance
ine. I could not doubt it, because they carried out the instrtuticms to the let-
ter.''''
Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p.

2gi.
p. 292.
tThe larger portion of the household furniture was left in many of the
dwellings; therefore, the writer, as well as a good many others, had the pleas-
ure of occupying a good Kentucky feather bed the two nights that we remained
in Barboursville.
with Harris's, Payne's and Allison's Companies. Our
Colonel had not gone far along the London road before
he threw out flankers as well as an advance guard, with
instructions to keep a sharp lookout for the enemy.
Thus, we moved on without any incident worthy of note
until we struck the enemy's picket, within three miles of
their camp. Our advance guard captured three of their
picket and chased the rest (six or eight) into carnp.
Colonel McNairy then fell back a short distance, sent a
messenger to meet Colonel Rains, and awaited his arri-
val with the infantry and artillery. As soon as Rains
caught up, the command moved on again with McNairy's
three companies still in front. We met a citizen who
said that the enemy was lying in wait for us. So we
thought that we would sure have our first engagement,
then and there. Before reaching the enemy's camp,
Colonel McNairy was ordered to halt, and Colonel
Rains took the advance with his regiment, leaving
orders for McNairy to hold his battalion well in hand,
ready to pursue if he (Rains) should succeed in routing
them. On reaching the Federal camp, and finding it
deserted, Rains' men raised a war-whoop that must have
made the Federals believe, if they were in hearing, that
10,000 men* were after them. Then dashing forward
in pursuit, our battalion went as far as London, took
down a Union flag, but did not overtake any of the
fugitives. The citizens caught the panicmen, women,
children and negroesnearly all, either fled with the
Home Guards and Federals to Camp Wildcat, some
thirteen miles beyond London, or went to their neigh-
bor's off the main road. How straiige ! that they
*Colonel Walford estimated our force at
''
from 5,000 to 7,000."
See Rebell-
ion Records {^Garrard to Thomas),
p. 2S0.
September, 1861. 49
should think that we were making war on women and
children !
As it was now about nightfall, our battalion moved
back about two miles and rejoined Colonel Rains, en-
camped where the Home Guards had been camping.
Sunday, 2gth.Colonel Rains had learned that Colo-
nel Brown, who was in command of the Home Guards
that had fled to Wildcat the evening before, lived some
two or three miles beyond London, and, thinking that
perhaps Brown might have some supplies for his men
stored away at his home, he (Rains) ordered Colonel
McNairy to take his battalion, go to Brown's and search
for the supposed supplies. Swinging ourselves into the
saddle, before i o'clock a. m., we went by the way of
London, and searched Brown's dwelling and premises,
but found only a box of shoes.* As soon as he was sat-
isfied that there was nothing more to be found in the
way of army supplies, our Colonel called out,
*
Mount
your horses!" and we were soon on our way back to
London. Arriving at that place about daylight, we
halted until McNairy treated the whole battalion on
brandy, after which we returned to camp and took an-
other breakfast.
Besides the three prisoners and the shoes (twenty-
five pairs) already mentioned, Colonel Rains captured
8,000 cartridges,
25,000 caps, three kegs of powder,
several guns, six barrels of sak, two wagons and teams,
loaded with the last of their camp equipage, and three
other horses.
Soon after breakfast, our picket came dashing into
*It would seem that the panic struck Colonel Brown's family just as ihey
were ready to take supper last eve, for we found their supper still on the table
when we entered the house this morning before day, but I did not say that it was
on the table when we left.
camp and reported that they had been fired on just be-
yond London. Major Malcomb was immediately sent
out in the direction of London with two companies of
McNairy's Battahon to meet the enemy and bring on
the engagement, while Col. Rains deployed his men
into battle line ready to receive the enemy should Mal-
comb be forced back. The Major returned, however,
and reported no enemy found, so we concluded that it
was only a scout, or "bush-whackers," that had fired on
our picket.
Having accomplished the object for which he had
been sent out. Col. Rains now set out on his return.
Going about eight miles back in the direction of Bar-
boursville, his regiment and Allison's Company biv-
ouacked, while McNairy with the rest of his battalion
went on to Barboursville.
Monday, jotk.Through carelessness, or some other
cause, five barrels of salt were left where they were
captured, near where the enemy had been camping.
Lieutenant M. V. Wilson was ordered to take twenty-
five of Allison's Company and a wagon and go back
after the salt, while the rest of the command moved on
toward Barboursville. We regarded this as rather a
hazardous trip, though we went back to, and loaded in,
four barrels of the salt (thinking five would be too much
for our team) without any incident worthy of note ; but
we had not gone far with our salt before bang ! bang
!
bang ! went several guns back about where our rear
guard was. This caused considerable excitement in
our little squad, though one of the rear guard soon came
dashing up, and reported that it was only bush-whackers
that had fired on them, and that some of the balls C2it
ve7y close, but no one was hurt. So we felt better then,
October, 1861.
51
and moved on to Barboursville without any more
trouble. Here we found two companies of our battalion
(B and C), but the other two (A and D) had gone on
back to Camp Buckner, on Cumberland river. We
found Rains' Regiment and the balance of our company
(E) encamped two miles from Barboursville on the road
leading back to Camp Buckner.
Colonel Cummings went with his detachment to the
Salt Works, loaded in all the salt there, 200 bushels,
and returned without coming in contact with the enemy.
He receipted for the salt, as directed by General ZoUi-
coffer. The Salt Works belonged to Union men, yet
Zollicoffer expected to have it paid for at the price of
salt at the worksforty cents per bushel.
Tuesday, October ist. Rain's Regiment and Allison's
Company returned to camp at Camp Buckner. Com-
panies B and C of McNairy's Battalion remained at
Barboursville.
Wednesday, 2d. Several of Allison's Company who
had been home returned to camp, brother Will (W. C,
Hancock) and
J.
C. McAdoo, who were sick of the
measles at Camp Schuyler, last August, and went home
from there, were among the number.
Companies B and C (they had been at Barboursville
since the 29th ultimo) rejoined the battalion at Camp
Buckner.
Thursday, jd. Lieutenant
Joe
Wyatt (Company C)
was elected surgeon of McNairy's Battalion, F. W.
Hearn (Company B), Quartermaster, and M. D. A.
Nolan (Company A), Commissary Sergeant.
Sergeant Major M. W. McKnight, Lieutenant George
Alexander and Private T. D. Summer, all from Com-
pany E, started home on furlough.
52
R. E. Hancock's Diary.
On the 2d instant, Col. T. T. Garrard wrote to Gen-
eral G. H. Thomas thus;
Colonel Brown has now enrolled and in camp some
250* twelve months' soldiers. He has muskets, but no cartridge-
boxes, caps, pouches, nor bayonet scabbards
Have not heard anything of the Rebels since they reached Bar-
boursville. The last account is that some 100 or upwards were in
Barboursville. (Two companies of McNairy's Battalion).
I have got Colonel Brown to move all of his men to the river (Big
Rockcastle, some two miles to the rear) except one company, and they
are outside our camp in a rock house. We have been much annoyed
by them, as well as visitors and others who were driven before the
Rebels. Some of them returned this evening part of the way home,
but heard of the Rebels below London, and they returned to camp..
The report, I am satisfied, is false, f
And the next day, the 3d, he wrote thus in reference
to Brown's men :
You will see before this reaches you that Colonel Brown has-
moved to the river, some two miles from us. I would be afraid tO'
place them between the enemy aad our camp. Some of his men are,.
I fear, a little timid, and I doubt whether or not they will do their
duty on that side of us.
J
And in reference to Wolford's Cavalry, on the loth,
he puts it thus :
When Captain Smith, of the cavalry, reached here (Wildcat),
there was not one of Walford's men in camp, nor had there been for
several days, and if my informant is correct, some of them that are
now here will do no good. They were seen drunk on picket yester-
day at, or near, London.
On the date, under which I am now writing, the 3d,

ZoUicoffer sent the following telegraph dispatch to Gen-
eral A. S. Johnston, Columbus, Kentucky
:
*'It appears from the above that their force at Laurel Bridge had been over-
estimated. Including Walford's Cavalry, perhaps they did not exceed 500.
t
p. 290.
J
Ibid, p. 292.
See Rebellion Records (Garrard to Thomas), Vol. IV.,
p. 301.
October, 1861. 53
I think I have reliable information that Camp (Dick) Robinson
was 7,000
strong; 1,000 of these have gone to Lexington and Frank-
fort; 1,500
remain in camp, the residue believed to be certainly mov-
ing toward Barboursville to meet me. Should it appear to me expe-
dient, I wish permission to meet them half way.*
On the same day Johnston repHed as follows:
"Dispatch received. Exercise your own discretion in attacking
the enemy."*
It was about this time that Captain William Ewing
resigned and returned home, and William Parrish be-
came Captain of Company C, First Battalion.
Friday, 4th. Gen. Zollicoffer ordered Colonel Mc-
Nairy to go with his battalion on a reconnoitering expe-
dition as far as London,
As soon as his men could prepare two days' rations,
McNairy set out from Camp Buckner about 10:30
a.
M., and, after a ride of about forty miles, he drew
rein a little after midnight, within two miles of Lon-
don. Our advance guard, going on to that place, re-
turned and reported no enemy there. We then took a
nap of some two or three hours.
Saturday, StJi. Setting out on his return between
daybreak and sunrise, McNairy arrived at Camp Buck-
ner a little after dark, and reported the result ot his re-
connoissance to Zollicoffer, who, on the next day, the
6th, sent the following communication to A. S. John-
ston :
A reconnoitering detachment has just returned from London, re-
porting no appearance of an enemy there. They report, 'upon gen-
eral information from country people, that there are
3,300
of the
enemy encamped on Rockcastle hills (Wildcat), a strong position
thirteen miles, beyond, where the Mount Vernon road crosses the
Rockcastle River.
I would move forward and attack them instantly but for unex-

p. 435.
54 R. E. Haxcock's Diary
pected deficiency in subsistence stores. Ten days ago I ordered the
brigade commissary to accumulate a stock of thirty days' rations for
5,000
men. To-day I have not five days' rations. I could not prop-
erly advance with less than ten. I hope soon to have the supplies.
I sent a large detachment into Harlan county, where I heard
there were 500
or 600 men embodied under arms. No organized
enemy found.
I have sent a cavalry detachment to Williamsburg, some thirty
miles west. Not yet returned. This is nearly my only means of get-
ting information of the country.*
Monday, yth.Our tents, which had been left behind
for some cause unknown to me, arrived. We were very
glad to see them, for it had been raining almost con-
stantly for the last two days, and as our battalion was
camping in a low, flat place, we had mud and water in
abundance.
B. A. Hancock (Company E) was appointed assist-
ant commissary in McNairy's Battalion.
Ttiesday, 8th.
McNairy's Battalion moved from

Camp Buckner about four miles down the Cumberland
River to Bald Hill. We were well pleased with the
change. This camp was on elevated ground in an
old field, and hence, not so muddy.
Wednesday
,
gtJi. Our battalion drew some blankets
and clothing, for which we were very thankful, as winter
was now coming on.
Monday, 14th. B. A. Hancock, who had been sent
to Cumberland Gap the day before after provisions for
McNairy's Battalion, returned. As rations had been
very scarce for the last few days, we were glad to see a
supply brought into camp.
Tuesday, i^tJi. Having now received the necessary
supply of provisions, General Zollicoffer issued orders
for a forward movement of his brigade on the morrow.
*
p. 439.
October, 1861. 55
Wednesday, i6tJi. According to orders of yesterday,
about 5,400
of Zollicofter's Brigade, including six pieces
of artillery, were put in motion along the London road.
The First Battalion struck tents and prepared to
move, but as McNairy was ordered to bring up the
rear, and as the infantry, artillery, and wagons (about
two hundred of the latter) were nearly all day passing
his camp, he camped for another night on Bald Hill.
The head of the column bivouacked some six miles from
Bald Hill and ten from Camp Buckner.
The following communication will explain Zollicoffer's
then contemplated movement
:
Camp Tex Mile, Kv., October 16, 1861.
Colonel Murray, Camp Alyers :
^^
Sir: I am ten miles on the march toward a camp of the enemy on
Rockcastle River and Hills, having left Cumberland Ford this even-
ing with the greater part of my command. I learned that the enemy
at Albany, Ky. , has retired. My plan has been to fall in their rear
and cut them off. Now that Colonel Stanton and our cavalry have
left the neighborhood of Jamestown, Tenn., the enemy may return
in force near the line. I have ordered stores of subsistence for my
troops to be placed at Jamestown by the 25th instant, and have ordered
the same cavalry companies to return to that neighborhood almost the
same time, to prevent the enemy from seizing and appropriating the
stores. Perhaps the cavalry from above would not be sufficient to
prevent an incursion.
I expect to pass down by Sommerset and Monticello, Ky., or by
Columbia and Burksville, Ky. , in the hope of capturing any forces
they may be threatening your position with.
As secrecy is the element of success, I must beg of you not to men-
tion to any solitary person this enterprise.
My object in writing to you is to ask you about the 25th to move
in such a way as to insure, by the aid of the cavalry, the safety of the
*
In Overton County, Tennessee.
50
E. E. Hancock's Diary.
stores until I can reach the neighborhood. Inform General Caswell
at Knoxville what you can do and he will communicate with me.
Very respectfully,
F. K. Zollicoffer;
Brigadier- General.
*
Colonel Murray replied thus :
Camp Red Sulphur, October 22, 1861.
Gene7-al F. K. ZoUicojfer
:
Dear Sir: I am in receipt of yours of i6th instant. I am much
pleased to learn that you are moving in direction of the interior of
Kentucky. We are to-day within thirty-two miles of Burksville, will
reach and capture the Federal forces there by the 25th of this instant.
We will then move to Albany by the 26th of this instant.
Will you inform me of your position at Albany, as I will wait at
that point for orders from you? I have no fears of our success at
Burksville. In the meantime our forces will prevent the Federal forces
from capturing our supplies at Jamestown, Yours shall be strictly
confidential. I am your obedient servant,
John P. Murray,
Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers.
^
Thursday, lyth.Setting out from Bald Hill early in
the morning, our battalion soon caught up with the rear
of the wagon train.
The road, which was already bad enough, was made
still worse by its raining that day. Therefore the train
moved very slowly, and "bringing up the rear" was
quite an unpleasant job as well as a slow one. We
camped for the night about where the head of the col-
umns had bivouacked the night previous, only six miles
from Bald Hill.
Friday, i8th.After a march of about eight miles.
our battalion bivouacked, still in rear of every thing.
*
p. 212.
t
p. 213.
October, 1861.
57
The cavalry in advance, some of Branner's or Braz-
elton's men, had a skirmish with the enemy's picket
"about four miles beyond London on the road leadino- to
Camp Wildcat, in which one of the enemy was killed
and one captured.
The Federal commander at Wildcat sent the following-
dispatch to Thomas
:
Camp Wildcat, October i8, 1861, i p. m.
General George H. Thomas
:
I have information now beyond doubt that Zolhcoffer is coming on
with a large force and six pieces artillery. . . . .
I am now making arrangements to move my sick and commissary's
stores across the river, and intend, if I do not receive more troops,
to abandon this place and retreat toward Camp (Dick) Robinson.
I have no idea of having my men butchered up here, where they
have a force of six or seven to one, with artillery. I would like to
hear from you immediately. Very respectfully,
T. T. Garrard,
Colonel TJiird Regiment, Kentucky Volunteers."^'-
The above dispatch shows very clearly what would
have been the result if our General could have attacked
the next day, the 19th, for Brigadier-General x\lvin
Schoepf did not reach Wildcat with reinforcements from
Camp Dick Robinson until late in the afternoon of the
20th, and in fact some of the reinforcements did not
arrive until the 21st.
Saturday, igth.The head of the column advanced
to a point some six or seven miles beyond London, on
the road leading to Wildcat, but, for want of water,
subsistence and forage, had to return to the wagon train,
about four miles beyond London.
Zollicoffer's advance had another skirmish with the
58 E. R, Hancock's Diary.
enemy's picket, resulting in the killing of one man on
each side.
After marchino^ in the rear of the wagfon train to*
within eight miles of London, Colonel McNairy was
ordered to move his battalion to the front. On reach-
ing our General's headquarters, about nightfall, en-
camped, as above named, some four miles from town,
McNairy was ordered to send out scouting parties on
both sides of the London-Wildcat road. Accordingly,
a part of our battalion went southwest in the direction
of Somerset, while Allison's Company went back to
London, and thence about nine miles north-east in the
direction of Booneville, capturing two men, two muskets
and three horses on the way. Finding no organized
force in that direction, Allison returned, by the way of
London, to camp, some three miles from town, about
daybreak next morning. Here the road forkedthe
left, leading by the way of Wildcat, Mount Vernon and
Crab Orchard, to Camp Dick Robinson, and the right,
to Richmond. We were now within ten miles of Wild-
cat.
Sunday, 20th.Zollicoffer put his brigade in motion
about noon, with McNairy's Battalion again in the rear.
Late in the afternoon, within about three miles of Wild-
cat, Zollicoffer's advance guard killed one* of the ene-
my's picket and wounded and captured another.
McNairy having been ordered to the front, reported
to General Zollicoffer, at the head of the infantry col-
umn, just as the General had learned that the battalion
of cavalry in front had come in contact with and been
repulsed by the Federals. Notwithstanding it was now
* Dr. Wyatt and the writer dismounted and lifted his remains from the road..
He proved to be Captain Merriman, from East Tennessee.
October, 1861. 5^
about dark, he ordered McNairy to take his battaHon
and dislodge the Federals from their position in a dense
woods, just beyond a large field.
Just
as the front of our battalion had passed out of
the field into the road beyond, with woods on both sides,
the enemy fired a few shots from the woods on our right.
Our Colonel then cried out, ''Charge! charge F' (with
an oath). Dashing forward a short distance, seeing no
enemy in front, and fearing an ambuscade, he halted,
moved his men back into the field, dismounted a part of
them, and scoured the woods on foot, finding that the
enemy had fallen back. It would seem that there was
only a small squad of Federals in the woods, and that
they fled as soon as they fired the first round. We
then fell back to the opposite side of the field, deployed
in line of battle, and lay on our arms all night. We
were now within about two miles of Wildcat ; could
hear the enemy's "drums. As soon as the enemy fired
on the First Battalion, the Twentieth Tennessee In-
fantry plunged into Rockcastle River about waist deep,
and went to our support.
ACTION AT ROCKCASTLE HILLS OR CAMP WILDCAT.
Mo7tday, 21st.General Zollicoffer sent the following
telegram this morning to General Johnston, Bowling
Green Kentucky
:
One Ohio Regiment said to be twelve miles distant. Another
regiment of the enemy a few miles beyond. I will feel of them to-
day with two regiments and some cavalry. My force here is about
5,400.*
Johnston replied, the same day, thus:
*
p. 209.
-60 R. R. Hancock's Diary.
Your telegram from London received. The information we have
of the enemy in your front is this: 10,000 at Camp Dick Robinson,
-of these 4,000
are in advance toward Cumberland Gap, but how far is
not known; it is commanded by Garrard; and 10,000 dotted from
Robinson to Cincinnati.
General Polk ordered two howitzers, one Parrott and three iron
guns to be shipped for you to Knoxville, October 15. A company to
man this battery will be sent in a few days.*
On advancing with the infantry, about daybreak, Zol-
Hcoffer soon learned that the enemy had so blockaded
the road, by cutting trees across it, that it was very diffi-
cult for infantry to approach the enemy's position, much
less cavalry and artillery
;
and, moreover, the enemy's
entrenched camp on Rockcastle Hills was a natural
fortification, almost inaccessible, from our side of ap-
proach.
Winding their way, as best they could, between two
hills, over the fallen timber, and up, up, up the rugged
cliffs. Finally, about
9
a. m., the Eleventh (Rains) and
Seventeenth (Newman) Tennessee Regiments attacked
the Federals in their entrenchments on Rockcastle
Hills. The following is taken from Colonel Newman's
official report
:
Near Rockcastle Heights, October 21, i86r.
As ordered, I formed my regiment from hill-top to hill-top at open
intervals to move in rear of Colonel Rains' Regiment and support him.
Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was ordered to take command of the left
wing, composed of Companies A, D, F and I . . . . and for the
movements of said companies on the field I refer you to the report of
Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, which is hereto appended and made a part
of my report. t The six companies, viz. : B, C, E, G, H and K,
constituting the right wing, were under my immediate
<:ommand, and moved forward in line of battle in the direction of the
heights in front of our position.
*
Rebellion Records, VoJ. IV.,
p. 212.
tNot found.
October, 18G1. 61
Upon reaching a point within eighty yards of the heights, we dis-
covered a number of men ascending the heights and entering the
fortifications, but supposing these men to be a portion of Colonel
Rains' command, I did not order them to be fired upon.
At this point we received a heavy volley of rifles and musketry.
The command moved on, however, without returning the fire until
within forty paces of the enemy's works before we discovered they
were not Colonel Rains' men, at which time the men were ordered to
cover as well as they could and to return the enemy's fire. In this
position we maintained a heavy fire for twenty-five minutes, when I
ordered Captain Armstrong and Lieutenant Harrison to move their
companies around to my extreme right to prevent a flank movement
of the enemy, which I saw they were about to make. These officers
executed the order with promptness and alacrity, under fire.
The fire was kept up by all the companies for an hour and ten
minutes, and, seeing that it was impossible to fall back without great
loss, I ordered the works to be charged. Four companies gallantly
charged the works, as ordered. Officers and men seemingly vied with
each other as to who should be first to reach the works of the enemy.
After the fortification was reached, and many of my men had got
within the works, driving the enemy from the first parallel, not receiv-
ing any support, and being nearly destitute of cartridges, I ordered
my command to fall back, which it did in good order. While this was
being executed the other two companies maintained their position as
ordered. . . . ........
Killed, II
;
wounded,
34.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
Taz. W. Newman,
Colonel Commanding Seventeenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers.'^
After he had fallen back to Flat Lick, between Bar-
boursville and Camp Buckner, Zollicoffer sent the fol-
lowing report to A. S. Johnston
:
Camp Flat Lick, Knox County, October
24,
1861.
On the 2ist I reached the enemy's entrenched camp, on Rock-
castle Hills, a natural fortification, almost inaccessible. Having re-
connoitered in force under heavy fire for several hours from heights
*
p. 213,
on the right, left and in front, I became satisfied that it could not be
carried otherwise than by immense exposure, if at all. The enemy
received large reinforcements.
Our loss was forty-two wounded and eleven killed and missing.
We captured twenty-one prisoners, about loo guns and four horses.
The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded unknown.
The country is so poor that we had exhausted the forage on the
road for fifteen miles back in twenty-four hours. Our subsistence
nearly exhausted. Under these circumstances I deemed it proper the
next day to fall back. Enemy's camp said to be 7,000
strong, with
large reserves near at hand. Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,
Brigadier- General.
*
I have not been able to find Colonel Rains' official
report, therefore can give no fijrther account of the part
taken by his regiment in the above action, though it
would seem that the most of the fighting was done by
Newman's Regfiment, from the fact that ZoUicoffer re-
ports the same number, eleven, "killed and missing"
from the brigade that Newman reports "killed" from
his regiment; the former, however, reports eight more
wounded, which may have been the loss of Rains' Reg-
iment.
f
Remaining in front of the Federal position, ZoUicoffer
made another slio^ht attack about two o'clock, p. m., but
still he could not induce the enemy to come from his
intrenchments and give battle on equal footing.
The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, under Colonel
John Coburn. and the First Kentucky Cavalry, under
Colonel Frank Wolford, did the most of the fighting on
the part of the enemy.
I take the following from Colonel
John
Coburn's offi-

p.
210.
tSince writing the above I have learned (from Military Annals of Tennes-
see, p. 293)
that Rains lost "one killed and six or eight wounded."
October, 1861. 63
cial report, addressed to
"
General A. Schoepf, Com-
manding Brigade
:
They (Rebels) soon came near us* under cover of a wood, which
entirely concealed their approach until we were apprised of their
presence by the firing of musketry. At this time we were reinforced
by a portion of the First Kentucky Cavalry, dismounted, under Col-
onel Wolford, about two hundred and fifty strong, who immediately
formed and took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was
very severe, which caused the cavalry to waver and retreat. They
were soon, however, rallied and formed again in order, and fought
with good spirit.
The enemy engaged was composed of a portion of General ZoUi-
-coffer's command, and consisted of two regiments of Tennesseans,
under the command of Colonels Newman and Cummings (Rains).
They charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and
deadly fire, which wounded and killed many of them. The front of
their column approached within a few rods of us with their bayonets
fixed, declaring themselves "Union men," and "all right," at the next
moment leveling their guns at us and firing.
After being engaged nearly an hour, the enemy retreated, bearing
off a portion of their dead and wounded and their arms. Our men
have buried their dead left on the field and taken the woundedt to our
hospitals. Thirty corpses have been found up to this time (October
2 2d). A large number of their wounded and dead were carried off
in their wagons. It is safe to estimate the loss of the enemy at least
one hundred killed. . ........
About the close of the engagement four companies of the Seven-
teenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, came upon the hill and formed in line
of battle. ;
. . About two o'clock, p. M., we were again attacked. At this
time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, appeared upon the
field
At ten o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's
Ohio Battery, came on the hill, on an alarm fired three rounds. They
were the last shots fired.
At about two o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which betok-
*
On an eminence east of the Federal encampment.
t
Three, one mortally, so General .Schoepf reports. See Rebellion Records
Vol. IV.,
p. 207.
ened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a
retreat. . . . . . ......
The number of our loss is a follows: Company D, one killed and
five wounded; Company I, one killed and ten wounded, three mor-
tally. Colonel Wolford lost one killed and eleven wounded.-''
Colonel T. T. Garrard, Third Kentucky, who was in
command at Wildcat before General Schoepf arrived,
wrote to General Thomas, under October 25th, thus:
Your aid arrived in time to save us from a certain defeat (what oth-
ers may say to the contrary notwithstanding). It is not necessary for
me to say one word about the fight, for you have no doubt been fully
posted. Though don't be deceived as to the number killed by us;
my impression is that we did not kill to exceed sixteen, and wounded
some thirty or forty.
Many say we lost a great victory by not pursuing the enemy. It is
true, if we had have known as much then as now, we might have
done -wonders. But we expected an attack the next morning, and
every one was sleeping on their arms, and we never knew the enemy
had left camps until near eight o'clock. We have a great many here
who know precisely how to manage affairs when the enemy is out of"
hearing, but would be as much at a loss to do so in a fight as I would
be.f
I am glad to have an. opportunity of proving by a
Federal Colonel, who was present at Wildcat, that Col-
onel Coburn did greatly overestimate our loss at that
place.
Supposing that all of the missing were killed, Colonel
Newman reported eleven killed, but as three of them
were only wounded, our loss was really eight killed and
forty-five wounded, one mortally.
Colonel Garrard does not say any thing about the
Federal loss in his report. General Schoepf reports
four killed and eighteen wounded, while Colonel Coburn
*Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 208.
tRebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 319.
OCTORRR, 1801. 65
reports twenty-six wounded from his and Walford's
regîments.
Companies A and E, of McNairy's Battalion went
back a short distance in the direction of London, crossed
over to the Richmond road, and thence around to the
east of Wildcat, to keep a sharp lookout for any flank
movement that the enemy might be making in that
direction. Making no discovery, however, we returned
to the wagon train, about half-way between London and
Wildcat, a little after dark.
TiLesday, 22d.Eleven men from First Battalion were
sent back in the direction of Wildcat to make a report
to General Zollicoffer and get orders. They had gone
only about one mile when they met the advance of the
brigade on the retreat.
Zollicoffer had decided that if the Federal position at
Wildcat could have been taken at all by storm, it would
have been at a cost of too great a sacrifice of his men,
and as he had declined the idea of going back by the
way of Mill Springs or Burkesville, as he had intimated
to Colonel Murray on the i6th,* he was now on his way
back to Camp Buckner.
Passing back through London, the brigade bivouacked
six miles from that place, on the Barboursville road.
Twenty-five of /\llison's company and about the same
number from Harris' First Battallion. went back to
within two miles and a half of London to picket that
road for the night.
Wednesday, 2jd.Zollicoffer moved on to, and camped
lor the night at, Barboursville.
'On October 28lh, at Camp Buckner, Zollicoffer wrote to Murray as follows:
*'
Learning that the enemy had retired from Albany, and desiring to see that
the guns were all in position at the gap, I determined to return this way."
Rebellion Records, \o\. IV.,
p. 483.
5
Two companies, A and E, of McNairy's Battalion,
were sent out about ten miles from Barboursville on the
Manchester road. They returned to Barboursville, a
little after midnight, without learning any thing worthy
of note.*
Thursday, 2^th.The infantry and artillery moved
on in the direction of Camp Buckner. A part of Braz-
elton's Battalion was left on the London road a short dis-
tance north-west of Barboursville.
Colonel McNairy ordered Captain Allison to take his
company and picket the road leading east from Bar-
boursville in the direction of Mount Pleasant. Going
about one mile and a half from town, Allison ordered his
'company to halt, except five men who were ordered to
take post about half a mile in advance of the picket
base. About the time the company had dismounted
and tied up their horses, our pickets commenced firing,
only about four hundred yards from us. In less than
three minutes we were in the saddle again, and going
in a dash to see what the trouble was. We soon learned
that our pickets had seen only one man, who, on being
ordered to halt, took to the bushes. They fired about
four shots at him, but he made good his escape. We
then returned to where we had first dismounted, but did
not unsaddle that nig^ht.
Friday, 2^th.Captain Allison sent some of his men
out to search the woods into which the bush-whacker
*I shall here relate an amusing incident that occurred while out on the
above named scout. It occurred thus: We called on an old gentleman to know
if he could furnish us some forage for our horses. He replied, rather emphat-
ically: "No, I have 110 forage for your horses. My neighbors /'^7f I have none;
I don't see why they sent you here.'''' As soon, however, as the old gentleman
was informed that we were
"
Union" men, he cried out in a still higher key,
addressing his wife, "O Betsey, these are good Union boys ! I have plenty
of
corn
andfodder
!'"
We then fed our horses, and "Betsey" furnished supper for sev-
eral of the "good Union boys."
October, 1861. 67
was chased last evening- to see what discovery they
could make. They soon after returned with four mus-
kets, about twenty thousand caps, and some powder,
which they had found hid out in the woods.
Captain Horn's servant was shot, but only wounded,
b)^ a bush-whacker between Barboursville and Camp
Buckner.
Calling in Allison's company off of picket, McXairy
moved two miles from Barboursville on the road to
Cumberland Ford.
As we were on the lookout for the enemy, we did not
unsaddle our horses.
Saturday, 26th. Several detachments were sent out
over the country after beef cattle. Some sixty beeves
were brought in during the day.
The battalion moved some three miles nearer Camp
Buckner.
Sunday, 2yth.Lieutenant George Alexander, Dr.
J.
S. Harrison (afterward Lieutenant) and R. Daven-
port rejoined i\llison's company. They had been home
on a visit.
Our battalion moved about three miles and encamped
at Flat Lick, within eight miles of Camp Buckner, at
Cumberland Ford, where we remained for several days.
As Cumberland Gap was naturally a strong position,
and as the three Log Mountains between Camp Buck-
ner and the Gap would soon be almost impassable. Gen-
eral Zollicoffer therefore believed that the Federals
would attempt to enter East Tennessee at some point
west of the Gap, and for this reason he decided to
abandon his position at Camp Buckner. I shall now
let our General explain his contemplated movement as
follows :
68 K. E. Hancock's Diary.
Camp Buckner, Cumberland Ford, October
29,
1861.
Lieutenant- Colonel Mackall, Assistant Adjutant- General, Boivling Green,
Kentucky
:
Sir : My pickets at Laurel Ridge yesterday drove back a small
cavalry picket of the enemy and took three prisoners, who represented
that a portion of the enemy's force has advanced to London. Their
force at and on this side of Rockcastle River (Wildcat) is reported at
nine thousand.
There are three main roads by which, if an invasion of East Ten-
nessee is contemplated, an enemy might approach. On this, by Cum-
berland Gap, we have heretofore concentrated nearly our whole force,
and we now have seven guns in position at Cumberland Gap. The
most westernly road is by Monticello, in Kentucky, and Jamestown,
in Tennessee. The counties of Fentress, Scott, Morgan, and Ander-
son are poor, mountainous, and disaffected. Should a force select
that route of invasion, I could meet them at the mountain passes near
Clinton, and between Kingston and Morgan Court-house, and keep
them on that broad, sterile region until it would be practicable for
General Buckner to throw a force in their rear and cut them off.
In view of this danger they may select the middle rotite, by Will-
iamsburg, Ky., and Jacksborough, Tenn. The road over the Log
Mountains will soon become almost impassable between here and
Cumberland Gap. The Gap is a much stronger position than this.
While I am watching the road from here to Laurel River, the enemy
might be advancing on the Jacksborough or the Jamestown road
without my knowledge. For these reasons I send four cavalry com-
panies to scout on the roads from the neighborhood of Jacksborough
into Kentucky, and I have ordered one infantry regiment to Jacksbor-
ough, one six miles east to Big Creek Gap, two about half-way be-
tween Jacksborough and Cumberland Gap, while four will remain at
present at Cumberland Gap. I leave six cavalry companies to observe
this road. One cavalry company is posted on the road from William-
burg, Ky., to Huntsville, Tenn., and six cavalry companies, McClel-
ian's Battalion, and I suppose Colonel Murray's Regiment of infantry,
are in the neighborhood of Jamestown.*
*Colonels Murray and Stanton had, according to orders from A. S. John-
ston, broken up a Federal camp at Burkesville, Ky., and on the same day that
Zollicoffer wrote the above they were at Albany, Ky., on their way back to
Overton County, Tenn. Captain Bledsoe's company was at Camp McGinnis,
between Jamestown, Tenn., and Albany, Ky.
October, 1861.
69
It is currently reported that an invading force from twenty thou-
sand to thirty thousand is on the road from Cincinnati to East Tennes-
see, but I have no means of knowing any thing of the accuracy of
the rumor.*
Except cavalry scouts, my force will be withdrawn from this post
to-morrow. Acting upon my best judgment, I have supposed the dis-
position of my forces I have described the very best under the cir-
cumstances. Had I a military engineer in whose judgment 1 could
rely, to reconnoiter the mountain roads, gaps and passes from Cum-
berland Gap to Jamestown I would feel much more capable of making
a judicious disposition of troops.
I have had rumors that reinforcements of Confederate troops were
to be thrown upon this part of the border, but as I have no official
information I take it for granted the rumors are erroneous. Very re-
spectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,
Brigadier- General,
f
Tuesday, 2gtk. Colonel McNairy sent a scout of
sixty men out in the direction of London yesterday, and
on returning last night four of Captain Horn's company
put up for the night some fifteen miles from our camp.
As they were coming to camps this morning they were
fired on from the bushes. They reported that they re-
turned the fire, killing one of the bush-whackers and
capturing four muskets. They brought the muskets
into camp. The above named scout went within about
seven miles of London and reported that the Federals
had advanced from Wildcat to that place.
*It appears that General Geo. H. Thomas, who commanded the Second Di-
vision of Sherman's army, and was now in front of ZoUicoffer, had, subject to
his orders, twenty-nine regiments and three batteries of artillery, though some
of the regiments were not fully organized and equipped at this time. See Re-
bellion Records, Vol. IV.,
pp. 334, 315.
tBrigadier-General L. P. Walker had been (October 22d) ordered by Gen-
eral A. S. Johnston to move his brigade from Huntsville, Ala., via Knoxville,
to the support of ZoUicoffer, and General W. H. Carroll, at Memphis, had
been (October 26th) ordered by Secretary of War to join ZoUicoffer with three
regiments, but neither one of them could obey the order, because their men
were not armed. See Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
pp. 470, 476,
486.
70 R. B. Hancock's Diary.
General Albin Schoepf had advanced from Wildcat
with six regiments* and two batteries of artillery, and
established his headquarters at the junction of the Crab
Orchard and Richmond roads, three miles north of Lon-
don, with two of his regiments thrown forward to that
place.
On the above date General Thomas sent the follow-
ing dispatch to General Schoepf:
I have just received a letter from General Sherman. He objects
to advancing the troops too far on this route, and directs that we go
no farther than your camp for the present,
f
The Major of our battalion, William Malcomb, re-
signed and started home.
Wedfiesday, joth.L. V, Kennedy and Dr. Monroe
Knight,J having received an honorable discharge from
the service on account of ill health, started home. We
regretted very much to lose from our company (Allison's)
two such good soldiers. They were always ready and
willing to do duty when called upon, so far as able, and
besides they were strictly gentlemen.
A part of the infantry moved from Camp Buckner to
Cumberland Gap, yesterday, and Zollicoffer followed
with the rest to-day.
Sattirday, November 2d.The First Battalion moved
(eight miles) from Flat Lick to Camp Buckner. The
latter camp appeared somewhat lonely now, as the in-
fantry had left, as previously mentioned. Two compan-
Fourteenth, Colonel Steedman, and Seventeenth, Colonel Connell, Ohio,
Thirty-third Indiana, Colonel Coburn, Third Kentucky, Colonel Garrard, First,
Colonel Byrtl, and Second, Colonel Carter, Tennessee, and Standart'.s and Ken-
ny's Batteries. Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 322.
t
JSee Appendix A.
November, 1861. 71
ies of Brazelton's Battalion were still back in the neigh-
borhood of Barboursville.
Tuesday, ^tJi. Our battalion moved (twelve miles)
from Camp Buckner to within four miles of the Gap,
where we remained until Thursday, November 7th.
McNairy's Battalion marched out of Kentucky,
through Cumberland Gap, thence along a fertile valley
in the ^direction of Jacksborough, Tennssee, and biv-
ouacked eighteen miles from the Gap.
General Zollicoffer set out for Jacksborough yester-
day from the Gap. Four regiments of infantry (Bat-
tle's, Cumming's, Newman's and Statham's), four cavalry
companies (Branner) and a battery of artillery (six
6-pounders and two Parrott guns) were now in the
neighborhood of Jacksborough. The Twenty-ninth
Tennessee (Colonel Powell) and a battalion of the Six-
teenth Alabama (Lieutenant-Colonel Harris)* were on
their way to the same place, leaving Colonels Rains'
and Churchwell's Regfiments well intrenched, and seven
guns in good positions at the Gap, with two companies
of Brazelton's Battalion to scout in front of that position.
A military engineer. Captain Victor Sheliha, had been
sent to Zollicoffer, and was now reconnoiterinor the
mountain passes in the vicinity of Jacksborough.
Before leaving Cumberland Gap yesterday Zollicoffer
received the following dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel
McClellan, stationed near Jamestown :
I have information that is entirely reliable that the enemy is ap-
proaching this point 6,000 strong
1,500
cavalry and the balance
artillery and infantry. The infantry and artillery camped last night,
*
Colonel Wood had the other battalion of this regiment with him at Knox-
ville. He was in command of that post.
72 R. E. Hancock's Diary,
the 3d, five miles east ot" Muiuiceiiu, a iijrtion ot the cavalry in town,
their pickets seven miles below.
Colonel Murray is at Camp Zollicoffer, in Overton County. I dis-
patched him yesterday, urging him to move to this place. Colonel
Stanton, I understand, is at Celina.*
This was the Information that ZolHcoffer had been
expecting to receive, and, in anticipation of which, he
had previously (October 31st) ordered Colonels, Stan-
ton, Murray and McClellan to concentrate their com-
mands, and throw up intrenchments at some suitable
point, near Jamestownf, and was now moving as rapidly
as possible with the force above named, including Mc-
Nairy's Battalion, by the way of Jacksborough, Clinton
and Montgomery, to their support.
Fi'-iday, 8th.In the saddle early that morning, our
battalion arrived at Jacksborough late in the afternoon
(about twenty-two miles). Zollicoffer had left orders
here for McNairy to follow the brigade by a forced
march in the direction of Clinton. After allowing his
men to halt long enough to feed their horses and take
supper, McNairy pressed on thirteen miles further and
bivouacked for the rest of the night.
;|;
Here he was met
by a messenger, with orders for him to halt.
''Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 514.
tibid,
p. 493.
J
I had been on the sick list ever since our battalion left Flat Lick, but had
still followed the command until the above night. Not being able to go any
further, I put up with one Mr. Bowling, who lived on the Clinton road, six miles-
south of Jacksborough, the county seat of Campbell County, where I remained
for about ten days, and was quite sick wiih a fever during the time.
J.
W.
Kennedy first stopped with me, but as I continued to grow worse for some days,
my brother, B. A. Hancock, resigned as assistant commissary of our battalion
and came to see that I was properly cared for. Ben and I rejoined the battal-
ion at Clinton, on the l8th. B.
J.
MuUinax, P. Nelson and Bob Smith were
sick of the measles at Jacksborough and dis^-harged at Clinton.
November, 1861.
'
73^
The rest of the brigade had also halted, and I shall
now endeavor to explain why.
The First Kentucky Infantry, under Colonel Bram-
lette, and the Fourth, under Colonel Haskins, and Wol-
ford's Cavalry were at that time encamped at or near
"Camp Goggin," on the north bank of the Cumber-
land, some nine miles above Mill Springs and twenty
from Monticello, Kentucky.* On the 3d, Colonel
Wolford set out from the above named camp with four
hundred of his regiment and one piece of artillery on a
reconnoitering expedition in the direction of Monticello,
and, if necessary, he was to send a messenger back and
Colonels Bramlette and Haskins were to follow with all
their available force1,200. Colonel Wolford went as
far as Monticello, and, finding no
"
Rebs
"
there, he re-
turned to Camp Goggin.
It appears that Madam Rumor had swelled Wolford's
four hundred to 6,000 before she delivered her
"
en-
tirely reliable" report to Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan,
for on the next day, the 4th, he wrote the dispatch
which has been previously given, under the 7th instant.
On the 5th, he moved his battalion down to Camp Mc-
Ginnis, and sent some of his men out toward Monticello
to meet the enemy. They went as far as Monticello,
and sent a messenger back, who reported that a few
cavalry had been there, but had gone back to Camp
Goggin. So, just as Zollicoffer entered the road from
Knoxville to Wartburg, within twenty-two miles of the
latter place, a messenger met him with a dispatch from
Colonel McClellan, statin^ that the information which
he had given on the 4th was founded in error. There-
fore, our General decided to fall back to jacksborough,
*
p. 328.
74
'
K. E. Hancock's Diary.
and completely blockade the two wagon roads through
the mountains in that vicinity.*
Saturday, ' gth. Our brigade moved back from An-
derson County to the vicinty of Jacksborough. Mc-
Nairy's Battalion camped six miles south of town on the
Clinton road.
REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
East Tennessee was now ablaze with excitement on
account of the uprising and open rebellion of the Union
men. They were flying to arms in squads of from fifty
to five hundred. Several bridges along the East Ten-
nessee and Georgia, and Virginia and Tennessee Rail-
roads were burned last night.
It appears that William Blunt Carter,f of East Ten-
nessee, was the prime mover and chief instigator of the
revolt and bridge burning above named, and the follow-
ing communication will show the "beginning corner"
of his plans
:
Headquarters Camp Dick Robinson,
September
30,
1861.
Major- General George B. McClellan, Commanding Deparimerit
of
the
Potomac :
General: I have just had a conversation with Mr. W. B. Carter,
of Tennessee, on the subject of the destruction of the Grand Trunk
Railroad through that State.
He assures me that he can have it done if the Government will
intrust him with a small sum of money to give confidence to the per-
sons to be employed to do it. It would be one of the most important
services that could be done for the country, and I most earnestly hope
you will use your influence with the authorities in furtherance of his
*
Rebellion Records. \'oi. I\'., p. 530.
t
A brother of General S. P. Carter, who commanded the Tennessee Fed-
-eral Brigade.
November, 1801.
75
plans, which he will submit to you, together with the reasons for doing
the work.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
Geo. H. Thomas,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.'^^
Suffice it to say that he received satisfactory encour-
agement from the Federal Government, and, setting out
on his mission about the middle of October, Carter ar-
rived in the neighborhood of Montgomery, Morgan
County, Tennessee, on the 2 2d, and under that date he
wrote to General Thomas thus :
I reached here at 2 p. m. to-day. I am in six miles of company of
rebel cavalry. . . . The rebels continue to arrest and imprison
our people.
You will please furnish the bearers with as much lead, rifle powder,
and as many caps as they can bring for Scott and Morgan Counties.
You need not fear to trust these people. They will open the war for
you by routing these small bodies of marauding cavalry.
I find our people have suffered beyond all forbearance. Hasten
on to our aid. To-morrow night I hope to be near our railroad.
You shall hear from me again soon.t
On the 27th, near Kingston, Roane County, he wrote
aofain to Thomas as follows
:
\
o
I am now within a few miles of our railroad, but I have not yet
had time to obtain all the information I must have before I decide on
the course best for me to adopt. If I can get half a dozen brave men
to "take the bull by the horns" we can whip them completely and
save the railroad.
If I cannot get such leaders we will make a desperate attempt to
destroy all the bridges, and I firmly believe I will be successful. . . .
The Union men of East Tennessee are longing and praying for the
hour when they can break their fetters. . . . Men and women
weep for joy when I merely hint to them that the day of our deliver-
ance is at hand. ... I beg you to hasten on to our help, as we
are about to create a great diversion in General McClellan's favor.
*
Rebellion Records, Vol. IV..
p. 284.
tRebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 317.
You must bring some small arms with you. I am satisfied that you
will have to take the road by Monticello and Jamestown, unless you
come by Cumberland Gap.*
Having succeeeded in maturing his plans, the execu-
tion of which resulted in the bridge burning, as pre-
viously mentioned. Mr. W. B. Carter set out on his
return November iith, and arrived at his brother's
headquarters at
"
Camp Calvert," near London, Ken-
tucky, on the 1 6th, and on the same day his brother,
Colonel S. P. Carter (afterward General) sent the fol-
lowing report to General Thomas, whose headquarters
had been moved forward from Camp Dick Robinson to
Crab Orchard
:
My brother William has just arrived from East Tennessee.
He reports that on Friday night, 8th instant, of last week, he succeeded
in having burned at least six, and perhaps eight bridges on the rail-
road, viz. : Union bridge, in Sullivan County, near the Virginia line,
Lick Creek bridge, in Green County, Strawberry plains, in Jefferson
County, fifteen miles east of Knoxville, partially destroyed, Hiawassee
bridge seventy miles south-west of Knoxville, and on the East Ten-
nessee and Georgia Railroad, two bridges over the Chickamauga, one
between Cleveland and Chattanooga, and the other between Chatta-
nooga and Dalton, Georgia. These bridges are certainly destroyed.
The Long Island bridge, at Bridgeport, on Tennessee River, and a
bridge below Dalton, on the Western and Atlantic road, are probably
destroyed,
t
Only five bridges were burned, as the following dis-
patch from Colonel W. B. Wood, Sixteenth Alabama,
who had been for some time guarding the railroad as
best he could with the small force at his command, will
show :
Knoxville, November ii, i86i.
Adjutant-General Cooper, Richmond:
Three bridges burned between Bristol and Chattanooga, two on
'Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
p. 320.
t
p. 359.
Private MONROE KNIGHT, Co. E, First Battalion.
November, 1801. 77
Georgia road. Five hundred Union men now threatening Strawberry
Plains. Fifteen hundred assembUng in Hamilton County, and a gen-
eral uprising in all the counties. I have about one thousand men
-under my command. W. B. Wood,
Colonel.
'^'
In order to put down this revolt of the Unionists,
Stovall's BattalHon and a Hght field battery were sent
from Richmond, Virginia, to Bristol, Tennessee (iith),
the Seventh Alabama, Col. S. A. M. Wood, from Pen-
sacola to Chattanooga (14th). General W. H. Carroll,
with two regiments, though mostly unarmed, from Mem-
phis to Chattanooga (15th), and General Zollicoffer sent
the Twenty-ninth 'lenhessee, Colonel S. Powell, from
Jacksborough to Knoxville (loth). On the iith Col-
Danville Leadbetter, of Engineer Corps, was ordered
by President Davis to proceed at once from Richmond
to East Tennessee, assume command of all the troops
to be stationed for the protection of the railroad be-
tween Bristol and Chattanooga, reconstruct bridges,
and repair and keep open the line of communication
between those points.
f
Mr. W. B. Carter happened to enter East Tennessee
on his special mission just at the right time for it to be
an easy matter for him to induce the Union men of that
section to do his bidding. For when Zollicoffer fell back
out of Kentucky the Unionists fully believed that the
Federal army would be in their midst in a few days.
On the 20th Colonel W. B, Wood wrote to the Sec-
retary of war thus
:
The rebellion in East Tennessee has been put down in some of
the counties, and will be effectually suppressed in less than two weeks
in all the tounties. Their camps in Sevier and Hamilton Counties
*
Ibid., p. 236.
tSee Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,
pp. 234, 235, 538.
have been broken up, and a large number of them made prisoners.
Some are confined in jail at this place and others sent to Nash-
ville. ............
The prisoners we have tell us that they had every assurance that
the (Federal) army was already in the State, and would join them
in a very few days ; that the property of Southern men was to be con-
fiscated and divided among those who would take up arms for Lin-
coln.*
In answer to an inquiry in reference to what he should
do with his prisoners, Colonel Wood received the fol-
lowing from the Secretary of War:
All such as can be identified as having been engaged in bridge
burning are to be tried summarily by -drum head court-martial, and,
if found guilty, executed on the spot by hanging. It would be well
to leave their bodies hanging in the vicinity of the burned bridges.
All such as have not been so engaged are to be treated as prison-
ers of war, and sent with an armed guard to Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
and held in jail till the end of the war.
Such as come in voluntarily, take the oath of allegiance and surren-
der their arms are alone to be treated with leniency,
t
Some, I know not how many, were found guilty by a
"drum-head court martial" and hung.
As a general thing these bands of traitors would dis-
band and Bee to the mountains on the approach of an
armed force of Confederates, therefore it was a difficult
matter to do any thing with them.
While W. B. Carter was in East Tennessee arousing
a spirit of rebellion there, ex-Governor Andrew Johnson
was with the Federal army at London, Kentucky, urg-
ing upon and pleading with Generals Schoepf and
Thomas to move forward into East Tennessee. In fact,
this "forward movement" had been so often urged by
Johnson, Maynard, the Carters and others of East Ten-
*
p. 250.
t
Rebellon Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 701.
November, 1861. 71>
nessee, that it had become quite annoying to the Fed-
eral commanders, as the following correspondence will
show.
On November 7th, General Thomas wrote thus to
Johnson
:
Your favor of the 6th instant is at hand. I have done all in my
power to get troops and transportation and means to advance into
East Tennessee. I believe General Sherman at (Louisville) has done
the same. Up to this time we have been unsuccessful.
If the Tennesseans are not content and must go, then the risk of
disaster will remain with them. .......
In conclusion I will add that I am here ready to obey orders, and
earnestly hope that the troops at London will see the necessity of
doing the same.*
At the same time Thomas addressed a letter to
Schoepf as follows
:
I find it necessary to reply to Governor Johnson's letter in the
manner of the foregoing, which I send to you for your information.
It is time that discontented persons should be silenced, both in and
out of the service. . . . ......
.1 hope you will therefore see the necessity of dealing decidedly
with such people, and you have my authority and orders for doing
so. We must learn to abide our time, or we shall never be success-
ful,
f
On the 8th, Schoepf replied to the above thus :
Yours of the 7th instant, with copy of letter to Governor
John-
son, is before me, and it is with extreme satisfaction that I note the
decided manner in which the case is laid down to Governor Johnson.
This outside pressure has become intolerable, and must be met
with firmness, or the army may as well be disbanded.
With importunate citizens on one side and meddlesome reporters-
for papers on the other, I can scarce find time to attend to the appro-
priate duties of my position. By the way, cannot something be done
to rid our camps of this latter class? I have really reached that point
*
pp. 342
and
343.
t
p. 347.
W R. R. Hancock's Diary.
that I am afraid to address my staff officer above a whisper in my own
tent.*
Though, in place of a forward, the Federals made a
retrograde, movement from London soon after the above
correspondence.
On the 13th, General Schoepf set out from London
to join General Thomas at Crab Orchard, with all the
troops camped there, except the First and Second Ten-
nessee and Third Kentucky (Colonel T. T. Garrard),
which remained at London, under the command of Col-
onel S. P. Carter (Second Tennessee.
)f
If you will excuse me, dear reader, for the above di-
gression, I shall now return to Jacksborough and take
up the movements of Zollicoffer's Brigade.
Siinday, lotJi. Colonel Powell's Regiment, as pre-
viously mentioned, was detached, and ordered to report
to Colonel W. B. Wood at Knoxville. Colonel Mc-
Nairy moved his camp from six miles south to a point
three miles north of Jacksborough.
Monday, nth.Zollicoffer's infantry was now busily
engaged blockading the gaps in Cumberland Mountain,
near Jacksborough, under the direction of his engineer,
Captain V. Sheliha, while his cavalry was picketing,
scouting, watching the by-ways by which the tories
would be likely to attempt to pass into Kentucky, aiding
in putting down the rebellion, of which we have been
speaking, and seizing all the arms that could be found
in possession of Union citizens. And thus the brigade
was employed for about seven days after the above
date.
Saturday, i6th.According to orders from brigade
*
Rebellion Records, \''ol. IV.,
p. 347.
tSee Carter to H. Maynard, Rebeflion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 468.
November, 1861.
headquarters, Captain Allison's Company was detached
from First Battalion, and proceeded from Jacksborough
to Wartburg", Morgan County, where they arrived the
next day, and remained there until the brigade came
up. Allison was instructed to keep a sharp lookout tor
tories, and guard any stores that might be sent to that
point from Knoxville for the brigade.
Sunday, ijtJi.
Having blockaded the roads over the

mountains near Jacksborough, and believing the fortifi-
cations at Cumberland Gap very strong, our General
did not think an army train of the enemy could pass the
mountains anywhere between the Pound Gap, in Virginia,
and Jacksborough, a distance of about one hundred and
twenty miles.* Therefore, leaving orders for his bri-
gade to take up the line of march again the next morn-
ing in the direction of Wartburg, General Zollicoffer
went in person to Knoxville to obtain more definite in-
formation of the state of things along the line of the
railroad and among the tories generally.
Monday, i8tli.According to orders previously men-
tioned, what was left of Zollicoffer's Brigade took up
the line of march again from Jacksborough, going by
way of Clinton, county seat of Anderson County, where
McNairy's Battalion halted for two days, while the rest
of the brigade moved on to Wartburg.
VVedjiesday, 20th.Setting out from Clinton, the First
Battalion moved about fifteen miles and camped on the
Wartburg road, in the north corner of Roane County.
Having set out from Knoxville in the afternoon of
the 17th, General Zollicoffer rejoined the brigade at
Wartburg, 19th, and on the 20th he wTote to A. S.
Johnston as follows :
"
Rebellion Records, \o\. I\'.,
p. 244.
6
82 E. E. Hakcock's Diary.
I am moving as expeditiously as possible, with four and a half
infantry regiments, a battalion of cavalry and Rutledge's Artillery, to
unite with Stanton's command (his and Murray's regiments and Mc-
Clellan's cavalry) beyond Jamestown, with a view of taking a strong
position on the Cumberland River beyond Monticello
I hope, by scouring the country on the north bank down to
lûrkesville occasionally, to command the river, and draw supplies
from Nashville when the roads to Knoxville are bad. From this
camp as a base of operations I hope in mild weather to penetrate the
country towards London or Danville, or in other directions, and.
command the approaches to Cumberland Gap or Jacksborough.
. . I sent a few men up to Greeneville to arrest Andrew
Johnson's sons and son-in-law.^
According to ZoUicoffer's official report, the following
shows the aggregate present at Wartburg :
Sixteenth Alabama (battalion), 401 ;
Pîfteenth Missis-
sippi, 701 ;
Seventeenth Tennessee (Newman),
538 ;
Nineteenth Tennessee (Cummings),
603 ;
Twentieth
Tennessee (Battle), d},'] ;
McNairy's Battalion,
341 ;
and Rutledge's Battery (eight guns), 126total,
3,565,
but only
2,995
were able for duty. Thirty-five of Mc-
Nairy's Battalion were reported absent.
f
Zollicoffer ordered Colonel Stanton, with his regi-
ment. Colonel Murray's Regiment and Lieutenant-
Colonel McClellan's Battalion of cavalry, encamped at
Camp McGinnis, some ten miles north of Jamestown,
to make a rapid and stealthy forward movement to cap-
ture as many ferry-boats as possible along the Cumber-
land River, between Burkesville and Mill Springs.;];
Thursday, 21st. Our battalion moved from the north
corner of Roane County to within one mile and a half
of Wartburg, where we remained for two days waiting
*
Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 686.
t
Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 687.
\
Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 6go.
November, 1861.
83
for some clothing that was on the way to us from Knox-
ville.
General Zollicoffer moved from Wartburof in the di-
rection of Jamestown, with the infantry and artillery.
Friday, 22d.Now being anxious to go forward in
advance of the brigade, to overtake Colonel Stanton in
order to ascertain whether he had put his command in
motion, as directed on the 20th, or not, Zollicoffer sent
a messenger back to Wartburg that morning after Cap-
tain Allison's Company,* which had been stationed at
that place since the 17th, while he moved on with the
brigade to Jamestown.
Captain Allison set out from Wartburg with about
twenty-five of his company immediately after the arrival
of the above-named messenger, and by a forced march
arrived at Zollicoffer's headquatters, at Jamestown, a
little after darkdistance, about thirty-five miles.
SatiLi'day, 2jd.Leaving instructions for the brigade
to follow. General Zollicoffer and his staff, with Captain
Allison and twenty-five of his company as escort, left
Jamestown early in the morning, and, pressing forward
to -overtake Colonel Stanton, they found him just at
night encamped not far from Âlbany, Kentucky.
Sunday, z^th. The clothing for our battalion having
been received and distributed, Colonel McNairy again
took up the line of march, and, passing through Wart-
burg, encamped for the night some fourteen miles from
that place on the Jamestown
road.
The main portion of our brigade camped within eight
miles of Albany, where Zollicoffer awaited their arrival,
*
Zollicoffer had no regular escort. The writer, as well as the rest of Alli-
son's Company, moved with the First Battalion.
while Colonel Stanton pressed on in the direction of
Mill Springs, Kentucky, with two regiments and Mc-
Clellan's Battalion of cavalry.
Monday, 2th. It was now very cold, and the ground
was frozen hard all day, in consequence of which our
wagon train did not get as far as Jamestown. In place
of moving with his train, or at least going no further
than it could go over the frozen roads, McKairy pressed
on through Jamestown, down Cumberland Mountain to
Camp McGinnis on Wolf Rivera march of about
thirty-one miles. The result was his men were without
tents and rations one very cold night, and until late in
the afternoon the next day.*
The following explains itself:
Headquarters,
Knoxville, November 26, 1861.
Hon.
J.
P. Benjamin, Secretary
of
JJar:
Sn-!.I have the honor to report that I arrived here on Saturday
last, by order of General ZoUicoffer, and assumed command of this
post on Sunday. I found stationed here Colonel Wood's Battalion
and several companies of infantry and cavalry.
. . . There are now in custody here about seventy persons,
many of whom, it is believed, were either directly or indirectly con-
nected with the burning of the railroad bridges. Colonel Wood
(Sixteenth Alabama), who was in command here before my arrival,
had in contemplation a court-martial for the trial of those upon
whom proof of guilt seemed to be strong. I concurred with him,
and ordered the meeting on the 28th.
It is important that steam power should be secured for the purpose
'As I was just out of a spell of fever, I did not wish to take the frozen
ground that night without even a tent for shelter, so I rode over to my friend
Lathan's, with whom I staid while sick of the measles in September (about one
mile from Camp McGinnis), to see if I could get to lodge with him another
night. As I neared his house, and before I saw him, he called out, "Yes, you
may get down." I yet feel grateful to Mr. Lathan for the comforts of that
night.
November, 1861. 85
of driving the machinery necessary in the alterations of arms. I
therefore took possession of the printing establishment of Rrownlow.
The steam engine and building are suitable for our purposes, and it
was the only one that could be procured here.
Brownlow has left, and no certain information of his whereabouts
can be obtained. It is, however, certain that he is aiding and abet-
ting our enemies.
With high respect, your obedient servant,
Wm. H. Carroll,
Brigadier- General Commanding.
*
lVednesda)\ 2/'th. Our battalion marched (about four-
teen miles) from Camp McGinnis to within five miles of
Albany, the county seat of Clinton County, Kentucky.
From his headquarters, thirteen miles west of Monti-
cello, Zollicoffer wrote, under the above date, to General
S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector- General, Richmond,
Virginia, thus :
Two regiments cross the river to-day at Mill Springs to endeavor
to cut off eight hundred of the enemy at Waitsborough, nine miles
above. A mail from Columbia to Monticello has been captured, by
which we learn that there are two battalions of cavalry and two regi-
ments of infantry at Columbia.
They had heard of my advance and heard my force was nine thou-
sand. This they doubt, but think if it is true they will have to re-
treat for want of numbers. I learn that General Thomas is at Crab
Orchard, but have no reliable intelligence of forces other than those
at Columbia and Waitsborough.
I have sent detachments of cavalry to examine the ferries at
Burkesville, and Creelsborough, seventeen miles above Burkesville,
also to get more particular information of the ferries and roads cross-
ing at Dorothea Landing and Horse-Shoe Bottom. It is now certain
there is no enemy this side of the Cumberland.
f
TJiursdax, 28th.Accordincr to orders from General
Zollicoffer, Colonel McXairy went out to Burkesville
*
pp. 704
and
705.
t
Rebellion Rej id>, Vol. VII.,
p. 706.
with a scout of seventy-six men. The writer had suffi-
ciently recovered to be able to go with that scout.
Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County,
is on the north bank of the Cumberland River, some
eighteen miles north-west from Albany. McNairy
bivouacked on the south bank of the river, opposite to
Burkesville. He threw a few of his men across the
river, but they found no enemy in town.
Friday, 2gth.We returned to camps a little after
dark at the same place we started from the morning be-
fore. It was a cold, rainy day.
We learned that quite a sad aftair had happened in
camps that daythe result of card playing. W. K.
Natcher had shot and killed George Aiken. Natcher
was put under arrest. Both from Company A.
On the above date. Colonel T. E. Bramlette, who was
stationed at Columbia with his regiment (First Ken-
tucky Infantry) and a part of Wolford's and Haggard's
Cavalry, made the following report of our visit to
Burkesville, in a dispatch addressed to General G. H.
Thomas
:
I received a dispatch before day this morning from Burkesville
that two hundred rebel cavalry were at the ferry on the south side of
the river. A few of them crossed over and went to Boles', saw and
arranged with him and his partners for the slaughter of hogs, and re-
turned. I'he courier informed me that the men who are acting for
the rebels are killing and packing a large number of hogs at Burkes-
ville, viz :
J.
B. Alexander,
J.
R. Ryan, James and Sam Boles, nnd
Robert Cross.
I have no doubt but steamboats will be up in a few days and carry
off the large amount of pork, wheat, etc., the rebels are gathering
upon the river. The rebels are now in possession of the river from
Mill Springs down. . ... .....
I sent Colonel Wolford to the aid of Colonel Haskins with five
hundred cavalry, embracing part of Colonel Haggard's command.
November, 1861.
87
As I have before advised, the rebels are at Mill Springs, in force
about eight thousand, but as yet have not crossed the river, and I do
not believe will.
Colonel Haskins, with his regiment, the Fourth* Ken-
tucky Infantry, was now encamped on the north bank of
the Cumberland, some ten miles above MilkSprings.
General ZoUicoffer, having reached the vicinity of
Mill Springs late in the afternoon, established his head-
quarters at one Mr. A. R. West's, within about one mile
of the river. As a portion of Captain Allison's com-
pany had gone through with the General, and was still
acting as escort for him, Allison and his men put up at
the same place.
Colonel Stanton, who had arrived at Mill Springs
with two regiments of infantry and McClellan's Battal-
ion and Sanders' company of cavalry, about two days in
advance of ZoUicoffer, had failed to secure any boats,
from the fact that Colonel Haskins had taken the pre-
caution to have them sunk
;
and for want of transporta-
he (Stanton) had failed to cross the river, as directed by
ZoUicoffer, to cut off Haskins' Regiment.
Saturday, joth.According to orders from our Gen-
eral, Colonel McNairy, setting out from his camp, five
miles south of Albany, with about seventy-five of his
battalion, went to the Cumberland above Burkesville.
When our advance guard got in sight of the river a
boat was crossing to the north bank with seven men
and five horses. As a portion of the men were Federal
soldiers, a skirmish ensued, in which the ferryman and
one soldier were wounded. None of our boys were
hurt. The ferryman, who lived on the south side of the
river, brought his boat back to our side. We destroyed
*
Afterward the Twelfth.
88 E. E. Haxcock's Diary.
two ferry-boats and two canoes at that ferry, and one
boat at another. McNairy allowed his men to scatter
in order to hunt quarters for the night. The writer
and about twenty-four others put up with our wounded
ferryman, who lived half a mile from the river.
Sunday, December ist.
Just before sunrise the enemy

opened fire on us from the opposite side of the river.
As we did not wish to have lead mixed with our breakfast
(fearing it would not digest well), we moved back about
seven miles from the river and took breakfast without
the lead. McNairy, having collected his men together,
returned to camps, which he found four miles from Al-
bany, on the Monticello road, and within fourteen miles
of the latter place. Camps had been moved about nine
miles.
General Zollicoffer, with a small detachment of In-
fantry and cavalry, proceeded to reconnoiter from the
south bank Colonel Haskin's camp, nine miles above
Mill Springs, on the North bank of the river. Many of
the enemy's tents were in full view, and they came out
and fired on our men with small arms and one twelve-
pounder howitzer. Our men returned the fire, but the
distance was too 2"reat for small arms to be of material
service.* Our General returned to his headquarters at
Mr. West's.
General Albin Schoepf, having pressed on in advance
of his brigade, arrived at Colonel Haskins' camp on the
above date.f
Mo)ida)\ 2d.
Our General took up four pieces of

artillery and soon shelled Col. Haskins' Kentuckians
*
Rebellion Records, \"ul. \'II., ]i. lo.
t
Uaid.,
p. 7.
Decembkr, 18G1. 8{>
out of their encampment, causing them to strike tents
precipitately and retire out of sight, after which ZoUi-
coffer returned to Mr. West's.
In the meantime our commander was building ferry-
boats at Mill Springs as rapidly as possible, by means
of which he hoped soon to be able to cross to a good
position in the bend of the river, on the north bank, op-
posite Mill Springs. Some lumber and a saw-mill,
which were found at Mill Springs, aided materially in
constructinof boats.
Tuesday, jd. McNairy's Battalion moved up to
"
Camp Hall," within seven miles of Monticello and
within sixteen miles of Mill Springs, where it remained
several days.
Having learned that one of my brothers, W. C. Han-
cock, was sick at headquarters, I went to see and wait
on him. On reaching Mr. West's I found that
J.
W.
Kennedy, E. L. Ewing, B. F. Odom. and
John
Herri-
man, all belonging to Allison's company, were sick, as
well as my brother. Notwithstanding Mr. West was a
"Union man," he was very kind to us, especially to our
sick boys.
Wednesday, ^.tli. General Zollicoffer threw over the
first small cavalry picket at Mill Springs.
Colonel
J.
M. Connell set out from Somerset early
that morninpf with his reoîment, Seventeenth Ohio, three
pieces of artillery and a company of cavalry, with in-
structions to move to the river and plant his artillery so
as to command the ferry at Mill Springs, in order to
prevent Zollicofter's crossing at that point. Leaving his
main force some two and a half miles from the river,
Colonel Connell went forward with Captain Ricketts
90
E,. R. Hancock's Diary.
and Lieutenant Fife, of the artillery, to make a personal
reconnoissance. On meeting our cavalry before reach-
ing the river at Mill Springs, they (our men.) opened
fire and gave chase, and the Colonel very narrowly es-
caped capture.
I take the following from Connell's official report
:
In turning a sharp angle my saddle turned, girth broke, and I was
thrown within one hundred yards of them, and but for the noble con-
duct and cool bravery of Captain Ricketts I would have been killed
or captured. He got off his horse and waited until I ran up to him
and gave me his horse, while he escaped into the woods.*
Our men got the Colonel's saddle, one pistol, and
some other equipments. Connell moved his force back
to a position behind Fishing Creek, some twelve miles
from Mill Springs, thus leaving the way open for Zolli-
coffer to cross.
Thursday, ^tk. Our commander commenced throw-
ing his main force to the north side of the river. His
cavalry pickets captured, six miles north of the river,
after a chase of more than a mile. Major F. W. Hel-
veti, of the First Kentucky Cavalry (Wolford), Captain
Prime, of New York, engineer officer of General Buell's
staff, and a corporal, W. F. Hudson, of Colonel Has-
kin's Kentucky Regiment. The Major and Captain
were severely wounded, the former in the arm and the
latter in the leg. They, all three, were sent back to
Mr. West's and placed in the care of Captain Allison.
So we guarded them for about nine days.
Friday, 6th.ils Zollicofter had by that afternoon
thrown a good portion of his command to the north
side of the river, he moved his headquarters from Mr.
West's to Mill Springs.
*RebelIion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 475.
December, 1861, 91
General Shoepf became so alarmed at the movements
of Zollicoffer on yesterday, that he fell back with his
entire company last night to a position three miles north
of Somerset.*
Fishing Creek runs south into the Cumberland five
miles above Mill Springs, and lies between that place
and Somerset. One road to the latter place crossed
Fishing Creek seven miles from Mill Springs, and the
other eleven. The enemy had thrown up fortifications
.at the more distant crossing.
Saturday, jth.Our men were still very busily en-
gaged crossing the river and intrenching (at "Beech
Grove
")
on the north bank.
A cavalry scout crossed fishing Creek at the upper
crossing, passed through the fortifications on the east
bank and returned without meeting any, not even a
picket, of the enemy.
Sttnday. 8th.Brother Ben and four others of Alli-
son's Company left Mr. West's to rejoin our battalion
at Camp Hall, seven miles beyond Monticello.
Zollicoffer sent out two companies of cavalry to see if
they could learn what had become of the enemy. Be-
fore reaching the upper ford on Fishing Creek they
found a Federal cavalry picket, consisting of one com-
pany of Wolford's Regiment, under Captain Dillon.
This company broke and a lively chase ensued.
Lieutenant Dine was posted a little beyond the upper
ford, on the road leading to Somerset, with about thirty
infantry from the Thirty-fifth Ohio
f
(Colonel Van Der-
veer). Dillon's fugitives refused to halt or give Dine's
men any assistance, but pressed on to camp near Som-
*
p. 476.
t
Rebellion Records, \o\. VII., p. 9.
erset.* When our men struck the infantry picket above
mentioned, they (the enemy) were soon killed, captured
or dispersed, after which our cavalry followed Dillon's
men nearly to Somerset. According to Zollicoffer's re-
, port,t the enemy's loss was ten killed and sixteen cap-
tured, one of whom was badly wounded; and our loss
one man- and one horse wounded, and two horses killed.
I take the following from Colonel Van Derveer's re-
port :
J
We killed one of their officers in command of the advance, one of
their horses, and captured one horse. Our own loss was one killed,
one wounded, and fifteen missing.
In reference to the above affair General Schoepf wrote
to General Thomas thus:
The cavalry under my command, as usual, behaved badly. They
are a nuisance, and the sooner they are disbanded the better.
Is there no such thing as obtaining a regiment of reliable cavalry?
Such a regiment is indispensable with this brigade at this time. The
absence of such troops has kept me in the saddle until I am nearly
worn down with fatigue.
Monday, gth.General Zollicoffer now had with him

six and a half regiments of infantry, a six-pounder bat-
tery of eight guns, and McNairy's, Branner's and Mc-
Clellan's Battalions of cavalry
;
also two companies of
Brazelton's Battalion, and two independent companies,
commanded by Captains Bledsoe and Sanders. Total,
about five thousand five hundred present tor duty. Two
regiments of infantry, two pieces of artillery and Mc-
Nairy's Battalion were left on the south side of the
river
;
all the other troops were now encamped on the-
*
t
Ibid., p. 10.
j
(^Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 8.
December, 1861. 93
north bank, opposite Mill Springs, intrenching as rap-
idly as possible.
General D. C. Buell was now in command of the De-
partment of the Ohio, with headquarters at Louisville,
Kentucky. General G. H. Thomas was in command of
First Division of Buell's army, with headquarter's at
Lebanon, Kentucky. Thomas's Division, which was
now in front of Zollicoffer, was composed of five bri-
gades, four regiments each, distributed as follows : The
First Brigade, under Brigadier-General A. Schoepf, was
now at Somerset; the Second, under Colonel M, D.
Manson, and Third, under Colonel R. L. McCook, were
posted at Lebanon
;
the Eleventh Brigade, under Brig-
adier-General
J.
T. Boyle, at Columbia; and two regi-
ments of the Twelfth Brigade, the First and Second
East Tennessee, under Colonel S. P. Carter, set out
from London on the 7th, and arrived at Somerset on
the 9th instant, leaving Garrard's Kentucky Regiment
at London. Carter's other regiment, the Thirty-first
Ohio, was at Camp Dick Robinson.*
Besides his own brigade, which was composed of the
Thirty-third Indiana, Colonel
John
Coburn
;
Seven-
teenth Ohio, Colonel
J.
M. Connell ; Twelfth Kentucky,
Colonel W. A. Haskins, and Thirty-eighth Ohio, Colo-
nel E. D. Bradley; General Schoepf had with him at
Somerset the Thirty-fifth Ohio, Colonel F. Van Der-
veer., from McCook's Brigade
;
First East Tennessee,
Colonel R. K. Byrd
;
Second East Tennessee, Colonel
J.
P. T. Carter, from S. P. Carter's Brigade
;
First Ken-
tucky Cavalry, Colonel Frank Wolford, and ten pieces
of artillery.
f
*See Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 461, 467, 479
and 480.
tSee Rebellion Records, \'ol. VII.,
pp. 479, 484
and 486.
Schoepf and Carter were now greatly alarmed, and
calling loudly on General Thomas for re-enforcements.
On the same date under which I am now writing, the
former wrote to Thomas thus :
From the above you must see the necessity of my being immedi-
ately reenforced. My communications for the last seven or eight
days have, I think, fully shown this necessity.*
On the same day Carter wrote to Thomas as follows
:
From the best information I have had, our position is rather a
critical one. The force of the enemy, even at the lowest estimate, is
nearly double ours, and they are but some seven miles off. We cer-
tainly need reenforcements, and I hope they will be sent forward be-
fore we are attacked by such unequal odds.t
Zollicoffer had only four and a half regiments of in-
fantry and six pieces of artillery on the north side of
the river, while Schoepf had seven regiments of infantry
and ten pieces of artillery at Somerset. And in place
of being near Fishing Creek, seve7i miles from Somer-
set, he was encamped near the river sixteen miles Irom
that place.
Tuesday, loth. All of our company, except eight,
had rejoined the battalion at Camp Hall. Our sick
boys and wounded prisonersstill at Mr. West'swere
improving.
McNairy's scouts, on the south side of the river, con-
tinued to be annoyed by the enemy's firing across the
river at them from Rowena, some thirty miles below
Mill Springs. Zollicoffer having now "determined to
punish the enemy" at that place, ordered McNairy to
go down the south side of the river the next day to a
point opposite Rowena, while another detachment of
*
See Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
pp. 479,
484
and 486.
t
p. 486.
December, 1861. 95
cavalry was to go from Beech Grove* down the north
side to the same place.
As our Heutenants were either sick or absent, Mc-
Nairy sent up a request for Captain AHison to rejoin
the battahon at Camp Hall, in order to take command
of his company on the Rowena trip the next day. But
as Zollicoffer was not willing to let our Captain go, the
latter sent his orderly,
John
D. McLin, to take charge
of our company.
IVeduesday, iitk.According to orders previously
mentioned, McNairy, having set out from Camp Hall
with his battalion early in the morning, got to the river
opposite Rowena in advance of the detachment from
Beech Grove, and ordered Serjeant McLin to cross the
river with Company E and enter the town of Rowena,
if he did not meet a superior force. McLin crossed
and boldly entered the town with about thirty men dis-
mounted
;
but he found no organized force of Federals
there, and if any home guards were there they did not
make any show of resistance. About this time our
cavalry from Beech Grove came dashing into Rowena
from an opposite direction, and a warm collision was now
about to ensue, but both parties happily discovered their
mistake just in time to prevent any damage.
After McLin's squad had recrossed the river McNairy
destroyed the ferry-boats and canoes which the enemy
had collected at that place.
Our Colonel complimented McLin and his followers
for having so boldly entered the enemy's town, unsup-
ported, and without knowing any thing about what force
they might have met.
*
This was the name of Zollicoffer's camp wn the north side of the river.
t)6 E. E. Hancock's Diary.
I suppose that it was only "home guards" that had
been annoying our scouts at Rowena, and that they fled
on hearing of the approach of our men.
Tlmrsday, i2tJi. Our battahon returned to Camp
Hall, and the detachment that went down the north side
of the river returned with eleven prisoners. They re-
ported that three of the enemy were killed, and that one
of our men was drowned in attempting to cross the
river.
When the news reached Columbia last night that the
Confederates were at Rowena, General Boyle ordered
a part of Woliord's and a part of Haggard's cavalry to
Rowena and Creelsborough.* The latter place is be-
tween Rowena and Burkesville. Wolford followed as
far as Jamestown, and reported that our men lelt that
place between midnight and daylight this morning,f but
Colonel Haggard reported thus
:
Creelsborough, December
13,
1S61, 1 a. m.
General Boyle :
Dear Sir: We reached this place at dark, expecting an attack
every moment since our arrival. I placed pickets out upon every
road reaching this place.
Our pickets from the Rowena road have just come in, bringing
us information that is reliable that three hundred men had crossed the
river at that point this evening, and a large force on the opposite
bank were crossing (said to be three thousand at least).
D. R. Hagcard,
Colonel Cavalry.
\
Our men had all returned to their camps several
hours before Colonel Haggard penned the above ''reli-
able ill
formation
.
'
'
"^Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p.
494.
t
Ibid.,
p. 498.
^Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 497.
December, 1861.
97
On the 1 2th General Boyle wrote to General Thomas
thus
:
The rebel cavalry who crossed the Cumberland into Russell County
{at Rowena) have, it is reported, killed fifty or sixty of the loyal and
defenseless citizens.*
Though he wrote as follows to Thomas the next day
:
The people, even the good Union people, circulate the most devil-
ish lies in regard to the enemy, and our own scouts, without they are
^selected with care, are not reliable. ......
The rebels were at Rowena and shot two or three men, but killed
none.f
Friday, ijik. I helped to bury Cousin A. N. Ram-
sey, who had died of fever two days before. He was
from FrankUn County, Alabama, and a member of the
sixteenth Alabama Infantry. He was buried in the
honors of war, near Mr. A. R. West's.
Saturday, 14th.Captain Bledsoe's Company passed
Mr. West's with thirty prisoners. They also took the
three that we had been guarding since the 5th. Cap-
tain Bledsoe was instructed to take the prisoners to
Gainesboro and send them by steamer to Nashville.
Captain Wm. L. Horn, Company B, First Battalion, went
to Nashville with these prisoners. His horse fell on
him while in Nashville and broke his leg, which had to
be amputated, and consequently he was not with us any
more.
Sunday, i^th.As Captain Allison was now relieved
from escort duty, and also of his prisoners, and as the
sick boys were improving, he and I went to camps,
leaving three of our company to wait on the four sick.
*
RebelHon Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 494.
t
p. 49S.
7
We found the battalion at Camp Hall, where I left it
the third instant.
Our battalion moved about ten miles that afternoon
and camped for the night within six miles of Mill
Springs.
Monday i6tJi.According to orders from Zollicoffer,.
McNairy moved his battalion back to Camp Hall, where
he remained for about nine days longer.
COMMENTARY.
It would seem that while at Richmond, in the latter
part of last month, Major-General George B. Crittenden
was directed by President Davis to proceed to East
Tennessee, assume command of all the forces under
Zollicoffer, and with ten additional regiments, to be fur-
nished by the President, move into Kentucky at once.
Accordingly Crittenden arrived at Knoxville and as-
sumed command
"
about the first day of December."*
On the 6th he dispatched for the ten regiments,
f
and on the 8th he recived the following- from the Secre-
tary of War :
The President desires that you return to Richmond and report to
him without delay,
^l
On the 13th he was ordered to return to his depart-
ment, which he did, but without bringing any troops
with him.
On tke 1 6th he wrote to the Adjutant and Inspector-
General, S. Cooper, at Richmond, as follows :
General Zollicoffer is threatened by a much superior force in front
''Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p.
'763.
t
Ibid.,
p. 740.
tibid., p. 745.
December, 1861.
99
and one nearly equal on his left flank. He has been ordered by me
to recross the river.
He asks for six pieces, twenty-four pounders or eight inch how-
itzers. Colonel Powell's regiment has been ordered from the railroad
to join Zollicoffer immediately, and Colonel Leadbetter informed, so
that he can replace the guard it withdraws.
To make General Carroll's brigade effective it is necessary to ob-
tain eight hundred muskets, which are known to be in ordnance office
at Memphis. Please order William R. Hunt, ordnance officer at that
point, to forward them immediately to this place, subject to my order.*
Three citizens from the vicinity of Auburn, Cannon
County, TennesseeMessrs. Frankhn Odom, Henry
Dougherty and Hop Kennedyarrived at Camp Hall
in the afternoon of the above date, the i6th. Each of
them had sons, and also many other relatives and
friends, in Captain Allison's Company. They came to
spend a few days with us, and we appreciated and en-
joyed their visit very much. Three of our company
who had been home on a visit and two recruits came
with them.
Tuesday, lytk. Zollicoffer wrote to General A. S.
Johnston thus:
Had the reserve of Powell's Regiment, Wood's Battalion and Mc-
Clung's Battery been sent on, as I ordered, I could have advanced.
But I can hear nothing official from Knoxville of them.
For a day or two past my information leads to the suspicion that
the enemy contemplate an early attack upon this position.
f
. It will be remembered that Powell's Regiment was
detached from the brigade at Jacksborough and sent to
Knoxville to help guard the railroad. Colonel Wood's
BattalionSixteenth Alabamawas left at Knoxville
when Zollicoffer started on his first campaign into Ken-
tucky.
* "
So ordered same day." Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 770.
t
p.
773.
287300
Wednesday, i8th.Having received a dispatch from
Zollicoffer during the past night stating that Wolford's
Cavalry was reported to be crossing the river at Creels-
borough, some' twenty miles below Camp Hall, McNairy
sent a scout in that direction early this morning. On
returning to camps, about half after eight p. m., our men
reported the rumor to be false.
Friday, 20th. Cousin Alfred Hancock, who was then
and yet is
(1886)
a citizen of DeKalb County, Tennes-
see, paid us a visit. A member of our company,
J.
E.
J.
Hawkins, who had been home on a visit, came with
Cousin Alfred, The latter had a son (C. E.) in Alli-
son's Company, who, on account of bad health, went
home with his father a few days after.
Saturday, 21st.I started to headquarters with a dis-
patch for Zollicoffer, but, finding Colonel McNairy at
Mr. A. R. West's, I put up there for the night, accord-
ing to orders from the Colonel.
Sunday, 22d.Colonel McNairy, Captain Allison and
I crossed the river and went to our General's headquar-
ters, which we found in a tent about one mile from the
river. It rained nearly all day. We recrossed the river
and put up with Mr. West again.
Monday, 2jd.I went back to camp, fifteen miles
from Mr. West's.
Zollicoffer wrote to A. S. Johnston, Bowling Green,
Kentucky, as follows :
SirI feel it my duty frankly to say that the failure to receive the
reserves and supplies I ordered up a month ago, and upon which in
part the plan of campaign was predicated, has given and is likely to
give serious embarrassment.
I now receive no responses to communications addressed to Knox-
ville connected with the most important details.
December, 1861. 101
I have five (four and a half) regiments north of the river and two
south. The strength of the enemy is unknown, but it is reported by
the country people to be very large.
There are now, I learn, in East Tennessee,* besides the force at
Cumberland Gap, eight full regiments and a Georgia Battalion, a bat-
tery of artillery and eight cavalry companies. I beg respectfully to
say that it cannot be that half this force is required there.
On the other hand, were this column strengthened properly, the
enemy could not venture to pass London to attack Cumberland Gap.
We could open the Cumberland and drive the enemy from Somerset
and Columbia.
t
Tuesday, 24th.Messrs. Franklin Odom and Henry
Dougherty bade us farewell and set out on their return
home. W. C. Kennedy of Allison's Company, having
been discharged on account of bad health, went home
with them.
IVednesay, 2^th.Ac'cording to orders from our Gen-
eral, McNairy moved from Camp Hall. Leaving his
wagon train and camp equipage two or three hundred
yards north of Mr. A. R. West's, and within one mile
of Mill Springs, he crossed the river with the main por-
tion of his Battalion, and took headquarters for the
night with Branner's Battalion.
Thursday, 26th.Zollicoffer had ordered a steamer
to ascend the Cumberland to Celina, and if deemed safe
to press on to Mill Springs with army stores for his
command. In order to make a diversion in favor of this
boat Colonel McNairy was ordered to go down the
north side of the river in the direction of Burkesville,
with his own, Branner's and McClellan's Battalions, in
all about six hundred and fifty men.
Ôn the loth of December General Carroll reported his brigade five thou-
sand .-trong, and all other troops in East Tennessee at six thousandtotal,
eleven thousand.
Rebellion I\ccori/s, J'ol. Vll.,

p.
jji.
t
Rebellion Records," Vol. VII.,
p. 786.
102
Settine out from Beech Grove, as above directed, with
First Battahon, under Captain AUison, in front, Mc-
Nairy moved at the head of the column until he neared
Jamestown,
the county seat of Russell County, when,
on learning that he would meet the enemy at that place,
he halted to hurry up Branner and McClellan, who in
the meantime had dropped somewhat behind.
When the head of our battalion got within about two
hundred yards of town the enemy opened on us,
but without doing any damage except the killing of one
man (James
Tate, Company B) and one horse belong-
ing to Adamson, who was a member of Allison's Com-
pany, and F. W. Horn's horse was wounded and fell.
Allison then fell back a short distance and awaited the
arrival of McNairy with the other two battalions. As
soon as our Colonel came up he ordered one battalion
to move round rightward and attack the north side
of town, while he would move forward and attack the
east side of the place with the other two battalions. A
messenger from the battalion moving to the right re-
ported to McNairy that the town could not b(^ ap-
proached from that direction. Therefore, as it was now
about nightfall, the Colonel withdrew the troops with-
out making an attack. Falling back about two miles,
we halted and fed, after which we scattered along the
road about four miles further, where we remained till
morning.
I shall here relate the following incident : Before
reaching Jamestown this afternoon, McNairy's groom,
"Johnnie,"
happened to be riding alone some distance
in rear of our battalion, when a gentleman rode up and
commenced a conversation with him. Soon learning
December, 1861.
103
that his companion was a Federal soldier, Johnnie*
quickly drew his revolver, saying, ''Sir, yoiL are my
J)risonery On marching his prisoner up to the battal-
ion, he proved to be no less than that of a Federal cor-
poral, who had been home on a visit and was on his
way back to camps, not knowing or suspecting that
there were any Confederates in the neighborhood,
Friday, zyth.McClellan's and Branner's Battalions
returned to their camps at Beech Grove. Our battal-
ion recrossed the river and went into camps near Mr.
West's, where we left our wagon train the 25th.
At nine p. m., Colonel T. E. Bramlette (First Ken-
tucky Infantry), who was at that time in command of
General Boyle's Brigade at Columbia, wrote as follows
to General Thomas
:
The enemy is at Jamestown, eighteen miles from here, some three
thousand strong. He has ascertained the strength and position of
Colonel Wolford's camp, and threatens to destroy that before moving
further. He has one thousand seven hundred mounted men, armed
mostly as infantry. .........
I would not be surprised if the whole of ZoUicoffer's forces were
to be on us in two or three days. ......
We will, however, strike a blow, even if left to ourselves, that
shall terrify the rebel hell-hounds wherever they hear of us. Retreat
we will not, and if they come upon us we will fight the fight of des-
peration to win.t
Notwithstanding McNairy did not go so far down the
river as Zollicoffer had instructed him to go, yet it would
seem from the above communication that the object of
the expedition, at least to some extent, had been accom-
plished. That is to say, the attention of the Federals
had been attracted from the river, and Colonel Bramlette
Johnnie was a white man, l)ut I <io nut remember his surname,
t
Rebellion Records, Vol. \'II.,
p. 517.
104 E. R. Haxcock's Diary.
was now holding his brigade in readiness at Cokimbia,
awaiting' an attack from ZolHcofter,
The long looked for "reserves" are coming in at last.
Colonel William B, Wood, with a battalion of his regi-
ment (Sixteenth Alabama), and Captain H. L. W. Mc-
Clung, with his battery of artillery (six guns), have ar-
rived. Colonel Samuel Powell's Regiment will be here
soon, having started from Knoxville the 24th instant,
Colonel Moses White's Regiment, of General Carroll's
Brigade, is also on the way from Knoxville.
SatiLvday, 28th.Half after six o'clock, v. m,, the
writer and forty-four others of our battalion set out from
Camp West, going in the direction of Livingston, Ten-
nessee, to meet and guard back a wagon train which had
been sent down the Cumberland to meet a steamer from
Nashville with supplies for Zollicoffer's command.
As the river was low our wagons had to go as low as
Carthage on this trip to meet the boats.
After a ride of about twenty-two miles, we met a part
of the wagons about two a. m. on
Sunday, zgth, and halted for the rest of the night
within some four miles of Albany.
In the saddle again early that morning, fourteen of
our scouts went out within seven miles of Creelsbor-
ough, while the rest went on in the direction of Livings-
ton to meet the other wagons. We all returned, with-
out any incident worthy of note, to the same place we
started from that morning and camped for the night.
Monday, joih. Having our wagons all up, we moved
about fourteen miles and camped near Monticello.
Tuesday, 31st.Going on in advance of the wagons^
January, 1802.
105
we got to Camp West a little after noon. The wagons
did not get to Mill Springs until late that evening.
Zollicoffer now had seven regiments of infantry, three
battallions and four companies of cavalry, and two bat-
teries (fourteen guns) of artillery. Total present for
duty, six thousand one hundred and fifty-four
; aggre-
gate present and absent, eight thousand four hundred
and fifty-one.*
Wednesday
,
Jaimary ist. As this was the first day of
the new year there was a general inspection of horses,
arms, etc.
T/mrsday, 2d.Colonel McNairy started home on a
furlough on account of ill health, leaving Captain Alli-
son in command of the battalion.
Allison received orders to cross the river and report
to Zollicoffer's headquarters as soon as his men could
cook three days' rations. We did not have three days'
rations, but we cooked what we had, went to the river
and commenced crossing, when, on learning that we did
not have the requisite amount of rations, Zollicoffer
ordered Allison to go back to camps and cook the rations,
which he ordered the brigade commissary to furnish.
As soon as we had cooked our rations Allison crossed
the river and reported to our General that the First Bat-
talion was ready to move. Our Captain soon after re-
turned and reported that the order to cross the river
was countermanded.
Mr. Andy Bogle, from Cannon County, Tennessee,
came in a carriage after Clabe Francis, a member of
Allison's Company, who was sick.
Friday, jd.According to orders given him while at
'Rebellion Kccurtls, Vol. v il.,
p.
0I4.
headquarters last evening, Captain i\lIison set out from
Camp West with the larger portion of our battalion to
meet and guard back another wagon train. After a
march of about thirty-four miles in the direction of Liv-
ingston, we halted for the night near the line between
Kentucky and Tennessee.
Satui^day, ^th. Going seven miles further Allison
met the wagons within eighteen miles of Livingston.
Turning back, he camped within one mile of where he
camped the night before.
Sunday, ih. Our wagons made a very good drive
that day, about twenty-two miles. We camped within
five miles of Monticello.
Monday, 6tJi. We moved in rear of the wagons up
to Monticello, and there we passed them and went into
camp.
One of our comrades,
John
Hearmon, who had been
sick at Mr. West's about one month, died about noon.
Tuesday, ytk.The First Battalion had the honor of
going on dress parade in the presence of Major-General
George B. Crittenden, who had arrived at Mill Springs
and assumed command on the 3d instant.
Colonel S. Powell's Regiment (Twenty-ninth Tennes-
see) came with General Crittenden, and I think a part
of Colonel M, White's Regiment (Thirty-seventh Ten-
nessee), of Carroll's Brigade, arrived at the same time.
Good news! good news! A small steamboat, the
*' Noble Ellis," has arrived at Mill Springs loaded with
army stores, coffee, sugar, molasses, etc.
General Boyle, who had returned to Columbia and
was now in command of Eleventh Brigade, wrote as fol-
lows to General Thomas, Lebanon, Kentucky :
January, 1862. 107
A rebel steamboat passed Burkesville yesterday (6th) at twelve
o'clock, loaded with men and cannon and other arms, clothing, etc.
I send three hundred cavalry to heights on this side to intercept it,
if possible. I will move with three hundred of Third Kentucky and
Nineteenth Ohio to an advantageous position at the mouth of Renick's
Creek, two and a half miles above Burkesville, on the Cumberland.
I shall move the whole force here to Burkesville. It is only four
miles further from Glasgow than Columbia.
I am not willing to see the Cumberland surrendered without a
struggle to ZoUicoffer and the rebel invaders. ....
We have no cannon, and must rely on our rifles to take off the
men from the boats. With one piece of artillery the boats could be
torn to atoms or sunk.
Can you not send me a section of a battery
?^=
Fortunately for us. Boyle did not stop our boat.
Wednesday. 8th. Two companies of Brazelton's Bat-
talion, fifty men from McNairy's, and about five compa-
nies of infantry went about ten miles up the south side
of the river to guard and load a forage train. While
the wagons were being loaded our infantry exchanged
a few shots with some Federals who were on the oppo-
site bank of the river, without any damage on our side.
All returned to camp a little after dark with thirty-
four wagons loaded with corn and oats.
W. C. Hancock, brother to the writer, and four others
from Company E started home on "sick furlough."
Monday, ijth.A member of Company A was elect-
ed color-bearer for First Battalion.
Tuesday, i^tli.-Forty-seven of our battalion went
sixteen miles ciown the south bank of the river to auard
some wagons that were hauling forage to the river to be
brought up by our steamboat, the Noble Ellis. It was
a cold day ; the ground was nearly covered with snow,
'Rebellion Kecords, Vol. VII..
p.
535.
but at night it turned warmer and rained. We, and
also our horses, had shelter.
Wednesday, ijtk.The Noble Ellis had come down
from Mill Springs and commenced loading, when we
left and returned to camp.
Another scout of about one hundred men, some from
our battalion and the balance from Brazelton's, had
started out in the direction of Burkesville before we re-
turned to camp.
Thursday, i6th. Brigadier-General William H. Car-
roll arrived at Mill Springs yesterday, but his com-
mandCaptain G. H. Monsarrat's Battery (four guns)
and the balance of Colonel White's Regimentdid not
arrive until to-day. One regiment and one battery of
four guns were all the troops that General Carroll was
able to bring- with him from Knoxville to add to Zolli-
coffer's command.
He was ordered by the Secretary of W ar, as early as
the 3d of November, to move his brigade to Knoxville
and report to General Zollicoffer. He arrived at Knox-
ville the 23d of November, but did not move on to join
Zollicoffer from the fact that his brigade was not armed,
notwithstanding he had been making every possible ef-
fort for two months previous to procure arms for his
men.
On the 1 2th of December Carroll received another
dispatch from the Secretary ordering him to proceed
immediately, with all the armed men of his brigade, to
the aid of Zollicoffer, leaving the unarmed portion of
his command at Knoxville, under the control ot a suit-
able officer, until arms could be provided. The next
day (13th), in a lengthy communication to the Secre-
January, 1862. 109
tary, he laid before that officer the nature and extent of
the embarrassment under which he had labored ever
since he had assumed command of his brigade, espe-
cially in reference to his inability to procure arms for
his men. "Out of my entire force,"* continued he,
"
I could not muster more than three hundred men effi-
ciently armed."
f
On the
1
7th of December the Secretary of War re-
plied thus :
Your troops are enlisted but for twelve months, and to such troops
we never furnish arms. . . . It is impossible for us to carry on a
war at such an enormous expenditure as is involved in receiving
twelve-months' men without arms. ......
If your men will now enlist for the war they will be en-
titled to receive the bounty of fifty dollars allowed by Congress, and
I will endeavor to aid in arming them ; but if not, all that are un-
armed must be disbanded on the loth of January.];
By January ist Carroll had procured arms for two
regiments (White's and Looney's) of his brigade, and
had the promise of arms for the other (Gillespie's) in
thirty days.
On the eighth he was ordered by A, S. Johnston to
send forward at once to Bowling Green all the men who
were armed and ready for duty of the regiments of
Colonels Looney and Gillespie.
(^
I give the above to show why Carroll was so long
coming to the aid of Zollicoffer, and also to show why
he did not bring more troops with him.
Newman's, Murray's and Powell's Regiments were
detached from ZoUicoffer's Brigade and attached to
4,000.
tRebellon Records, Vol. VII., j). 764.
t
p. 771.
^< Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 825.
110 E. R. Hancock's Diart.
Carroll's. Crittenden's Division was now composed of
two brigades. Zollicoffer commanded the First, and
Carroll the Second. The former had five regiments
and the latter four. I do not know how the eighteen
pieces of artillery and the nineteen companies of cav-
alry were divided between the brigade commanders.
However, I am of the opinion that McNairy's Battalion
still remained attached to Zollicoffer's Brigade.
Friday, lyth.The scout that was sent out in the
direction of Burkesville on the 15th returned to camps.
They reported that three or four regiments of Federals,
with four pieces of artillery, were stationed on the north
bank of the river some four miles above Burkesville.
They also report that one night while they were out
Captain Coffee, of Brazelton's Battalion, and three or
four of his men put up with one Mr. Gridder. ^ squad
of Federals crossed the river and came to Mr. Gridder's
for the purpose, it was thought, of killing him. A
skirmish ensued, which resulted in the killing of Mr.
Gridder and wounding one of his sons and Captain
Coffee. One of the enemy was killed and one wounded.
We also heard that two of the Federal pickets in
front of Beech Grove were killed.
Saturday, iSt/i. It was said that another picket skir-
mish on the north side of the river resulted in the kill-
ing of two of our men and one of the enemy.
It rained nearly all day.
General Buell ordered General Thomas, on Decem-
ber 29th, to move from Lebanon by the way of Colum-
bia upon Zollicoffer's left flank, while General Schoepf
was to move upon his front from Somerset. On the
30th Thomas replied thus :
January, 1862. ill
Have made arrangements to move as light as possible, and hope to
get started to-morrow, although with raw troops and raw mules I fear
there will be some difificulty.*
The advance of Thomas's division arrived yesterday
at Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles north of Crit-
tenden's intrenched position (Beech Grove), and within
eicfht miles of Somerset, where he halted for the rear to
close up and to communicate with Schoepf.
Late that afternoon our commander wrote the follow-
ing dispatch to A. S, Johnston, Bowling Green, Ken-
tucky :
Headquarters, Beech Grove Kentucky,
January i8, 1862.
Sir: I am threatened by a superior force of the enemy in front,
and finding it impossible to cross the river I will have to make the
fight on the ground I now occupy.
If you can do so I would ask that a diversion be made in my favor.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. B. Crittenden,
Major- General Covmianding.
To ihe Assistant Adjutant- General, Headquarters Department
of
the WestA;
Rebellion Records, Vol. \\\., p. 524.
t
p. 103.
The above dispatch was handed to General Zollicoffer (he being better ac-
quainted with the troops) with the request to start it at once by couriers. He
immediately sent to Captain T. M. Allison for a reliable, well mounted man.
Accordingly, C. F. Thomas (Company E) was ordered to go to Mill Springs
(one mile), cross the river and report to Zollicoffer. Leaving camp about sun-
set, Thomas did as requested. Handing him the dispatch, Zollicoffer said : "I
want you to take this to General Sidney Johnston, at Bowling Green, and this,"
handing him another addressed to an officer at Memphis, "you will mail at
Gallatin. Take one good man with you and make the trip through to Bowling
Green as quick as you possibly cany Recrossing the river, Thomas was soon
back in our camp again. He selected to go with him on that venturesome trip
John D. McLin, who was then his messmate, and is now (1886) editor of the
weekly Nashville American.
Swinging themselves into the saddle, Thoma? and McLin set out on thedr
daring trip about ten o'clock that nightto use Thomas's own language, "One
of the darkest and muddiest I ever saw." They went down the south side of
112
R. R. HANCorK's Diary.
It appears from the above dispatch that Crittendea
then expected to remain in his intrenchments and await
the attack of the enemy, but he afterward decided to
move out and attack them.
the river. They were not only in danger of meeting Federal scouts and home
guards, but also of being shot from the bushes by "bush-whackers." They
would sometimes have to travel miles out of their way in order to deceive the
home guards, and other times they would pass themselves off to some good old
lady as good
"
Union soldiers.'' They rode two days and nights, stopping only
two or three times for a few moments to feed their horses.
Late in the afternoon of the 20th they crossed the Cumberland at Williams'
"
Ferry. Their horses %vere so fatigued by this time by constant riding through
deep mud that they had to stop and let them rest; therefore they put up for the
night with one Mr. Williams.
With very great surprise and bewilderment did they learn next morning
(2ist) that neither of their horses was able to travel, having eaten too much corn
during the previous night.
Seeing that our boys were in distress, and fully realizing the situation, Mr.
Williams, who happened to be a kind, generous, noble-hearted Southern man,
happily came to their relief by ordering a servan' to bring out a span of fine,
fat, gray geldings. As soon as they were brought out and saddled Mr. Williams
said,
'
Here, boys, take these horses and keep them as long as you need them,
2inA ride thon as hard as you please.'''' After returning heart-felt thanks to their
kind host for such a great and unexpected favor from a stranger, offered, too,
with such a free good-will, the boys leaped into their saddles and pressed on to
Gallatin that day. Here they had expected to take the cars for Bowling Green,
but in this they were disappointed. The cars had been taken from that road
and were then running in the interest of Fort Donelson, which was now threat-
ened by a heavy Federal force.
After mailing the dispatch addressed to Memphis and holding a "council of
war," they decided that McLin should remain at Gallatin, while Thomas should
get a fresh horse and proceed alone, as they felt that they were now out of dan-
ger of home guards and "bush-whackers." Accordingly Thomas set out from
Gallati 1 early on the morning of the 22d, and arriving at Bowling Green about
dark the same day, handed the dispatch to General Johnston, who had just re-
ceived another dispatch announcing the defeat of Crittenden at Fishing Creek.
Starting back next morning Thomas rejoined McLm at Gallatin. Returning
now at their leisure, and finding their horses all right on arriving at Mr. Will-
iams' they exchanged horses, and finally rejoined their command at Chestnut
Mound.
I shall here mention another incident in which the two above named took
part. It occurred while they were at home on furlough in August, 1863, as
..follows:
Captain S. Y. Barkley, who lived (and does now) sixteen miles East of Mur-
January, 1862.
113
Sunday^ igth. On the above day and date was
fought the memorable
BATTLE OF FISHING CREEK,
on
"
Logan's Cross Roads," near Mill Springs.
The following is General Crittenden's official report
of the above enpagfement
:
Division Headquarters,
Camp Fogg (Smith County), Tenn., Jêb.
13,
1862.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the en-
gagement of January
19,
near Fishing Creek, Pulaski County, Ken-
tucky.
On January 17 I was occupying Mill Springs, on the south side of
the Cumberland River, with the Seventeenth, Twenty-eighth and
Thirty-seventh Tennessee Regmients, the First Battalion Tennessee
Cavalry, two companies of the Third Battalion Tennessee Cavalry
and four (six) pieces of artillery. I was also at the same time occu-
pying Beech Grove, on the north bank of the river and directly oppo-
site Mill Springs, with the Fifteenth Mississippi, Sixteenth Alabama,
Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-ninth Tennessee
freesboro on the pike leading from that place, by the way of Hall's Hill to Lib-
erty, learned late one evening that a small squad of Federals had passed along
the pike going in the direction of Liberty. After a ride of about six miles in
the direction of Statesviile he found C. F. Thomas and John D. McLin at Jim
B. Thomas' (C. F's. father). Notwithstanding it was now dark and raining,
these three daring riders set out immediately in pursuit of the enemy. About
one o'clock A. M., the next morning, they arrived at Auburn, where they learned
that two Federals had passed that place going in the direction of Liberty. On
learning at Mr. Matthew Wilson's, about two miles beyond Auburn, that the
enemy had not passed there, our boys turned and went back to Mr. A. Owen's,
where they learned that the Federals had gone about one mile from the pike and
put up for the night witti one Mr. A. Lax. Our boys drew rein about dawn at
Mr. Lax's barn. The old man Lax, who soon came out to feed, was captured
iirst. Next one of the Federals came out to the barn and was made prisoner
without the fire of a gun. Leaving the two prisoners in care of Thomas, Bark-
ley and McLin went to the house, where they found the other soldier still asleep.
On rousing him up and demanding his surrender, he very coolly remarked,
while rubbing his eyes open, "Well, I wish you had let me get my nap out."
Taking their horses and arms (and they were well mounted, well armed, and
well supplied with ammunition), our boys turned their prisoners loose on parole.
Regiments, two battalions of Tennessee cavalry, two independent
cavalry companies, and twelve pieces of artillery.
For some time the enemy in front of Beech Grove had occupied
Somerset^ eighteen miles distant, with eight regiments of infantry and
with artillery ; and Columbia, thirty-five miles distant, with five regi-
ments of infantry. On January 17
I was informed that the force
from Columbia,* with a large addition, f making a total of from six.
thousand to ten thousand men, with guns of a large caliber, under
General Thomas, commanding First Division of the Federal Army in
Kentucky, was moving across my front, on the road from Columbia
toward Somerset, with the intention of forming a junction with the
Somerset force and attacking Beech Grove.
On the 1 8th, at daylight, I moved the Seventeenth and Twenty-
eighth Tenneessee Regiments across the river from Mill Springs to
Beech Grove. On the i8th I was informed that the force under
General Thomas was encamped at Webb's (Logan's) Cross-Roads, a
point ten miles from Beech Grove and eight miles from Somerset, at
which the roads from Columbia to Somerset and Beech Grove to
Somerset unite, and that V. would there await both a re-inforcement
(that I was advised was advancing from the rear) and the passage of
Fishing Creek by the Somerset force. It was necessary that the
Somerset force should cross Fishing Creek before it could join the
force under General Thomas or approach Beech Grove, and for this
purpose it had advanced from Somerset. I was advised that late and
continuous rains would prevent the passage of Fishing Creek on the
iSth and 19th by any infantry force.
In the then condition of my command I could array for battle
about four thousand effective men. ......
To defend Beech Grove required me to draw into it the force from
Mill Springs. From the course of the river and condition of things
it was easy for a detachment from the force of the enemy occupying,
it below to cross over, intercept the line of land communication, and,
taking Mill Springs, entirely prevent my recrossing the Cumberland.
This river (greatly swollen), with high, muddy banks, was a trouble-
*
Thomas moved from Lebanon via Columbia with two brigades, Manson's-
and McCook's. Boyle's Brigade had moved to the river near Burkesville. On
the 19th Buell dispatched to Thomas thus :
f'The reinforcements ordered to you were ten pieces of artillery and De-
Courcy's and Ray's regiments." Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 560.
January, 1862. 115
some barrier in the rear of Beech Grove. Transportation over it was,
at best, very difficult. A small stern-wheel steamboat, imsuited for
the transportation of horses, with two flat-boats, were the only means
of crossing.
Beech Grove was protected in front by earthworks, but these in-
complete and insufficient, and necessarily of such extent that I had not
force to defend them. The range of our artillery was bad, and there
were commanding positions for the batteries of the enemy. Every
effort had been made to provision the command, to increase the means
of crossing the river and to pefect the works for defense, under charge
of a skillful engineer officer, Captain Sheliha.
When I first heard that the enemy was approaching in front it was
my opinion that I could not retire with my commandartillery,
transportation, camp and garrison equipage, baggage and cavalry
horsesfrom Beech Grove to Mill Springs without information of
such movement reaching the enemy, and a consequent attack during
the movement and heavy loss. I was out of reach of support or re-
enforcements. Under these circumstances I determined not to retreat
without a battle. I decided that it was best to attack the enemy, if
possible, before the coming re-enforcements from his rear should
arrive and before the Somerset force could cross Fishing Creek. I
could reasonably expect much from a bold attack and from the spirit
of my command.
On the evening of the iSth I called in council Brigadier-Generals
ZoUicoffer and Carroll and the commanding officers of regiments and
of cavalry and artillery, and there it was determined, without dissent,
to march out and attack the enemy under General Thomas on the
the next morning. Accordingly Generals ZoUicoffer and Carroll were
ordered to move their brigades at midnight in the following order:
ist. The brigade of General ZoUicoffer, in the following order:
In front the independent cavalry companies of Captains Saunders
and Bledsoe; then the Fifteenth Mississippi Regiment, commanded
by Lieutenant-Colonel Walthall; then the Nineteenth Tennessee,
commanded by Colonel D. H. Cummings; then the Twentieth Ten-
nessee, commanded by Colonel Battle; then the Twenty-fifth Tennes-
see, commanded by Colonel S. S. Stanton; then four guns of Rut-
ledge's Battery, commanded by Captain Rutledge.
2d. The brigade of General Carroll in this order: In front the
Seventeenth Tennessee (Newman), commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
116 R. E. Hancock'kS Diary.
Miller; then the Twenty-eighth Tennessee, commanced by Colonel
Powell; then two guns of McClung's Battery, commanded by Cap-
tain McClung.
In rear were the Sixteenth Alabama as a reserve, commanded by
Colonel W. B. Wood, and the cavalry battalions of Lieutenant-
Colonel Branner and Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan.
Soon after daylight on the morning of January 19
the cavalry ad-
vance came in contact with the pickets of the enemy, after a march
of near nine miles over a deep and muddy road. With a few shots
the enemy's pickets were driven in, retiring about a quarter of a mile
to a house on the left of the road. From this house and woods in
the rear of it quite a brisk firing was opened upon the head of the
column. Skirmishers having been thrown forward, General Zolli-
coffer's Brigade was formed in line of battle and ordered to advance
upon the enemy, whom I supposed would come out from their camp,
which we were now approaching, to take position. The road here
extended straight in front for near a mile toward the north.
A company of skirmishers from the Mississij^pi Regiment, ad-
vancing on the left of the road, after sharp firing, drove a body of
the enemy from the house and the woods next to it, and then, under
orders, crossnig the road, fell in with their regiment. Following this
company of skirmishers on the left of the road to the point where it
crossed to the right, the regunent of Colonel Cummings (Nineteenth
Tennessee) kept straight on, and crossing a field about two hundred
and fifty yards wide at a double-quick, charged into the woods where
the enemy was sheltered, driving back the Tenth Indiana Regiment
until it was re-enforced. At this time General Zollicoffer rode up to
the Nineteenth Tennessee and ordered Colonel Cummings to cease
firing, under the impression that the firing was upon another regiment
of his own brigade. Then the General advanced, as if to give an
order to the lines of the enemy, within bayonet reach, and was killed
just as he discovered his fatal mistake. Thereupon a conflict ensued,
when the Nineteenth Tennessee broke its line and gave back. Rather
in the rear and near to this regiment was the Twenty-fifth Tennessee,
commanded by Colonel Stanton, which engaged the enemy, when the
Colonel was wounded at the head of his men
;
but this regiment,
impressed with the same idea which had proved fatal to General ZoUi-
cofferthat it was engaged with friendssoon broke its line and fell
into some disorder.
January, 1862. 117
At this timethe fall of Cieneral Zollicoffer having been announced
to meI went forward to the regiments ot Colonels Cummings and
Stanton, and announced to Colonel Cummings the death of General
Zollicoffer, and that the command of the brigade devolved upon him.
There was a cessation of firing for a few moments, and I ascer-
tained that the regiment of Colonel Battle was on the right, and the
Mississippi Regiment in the center, neither as yet having been actively
engaged, and the enemy in front of the entire line. I had ordered
General Carroll to bring up his brigade, and it was new, in support-
ing distance, displayed in line of battle.
I now repeated my orders for a general advance, and soon the
battle raged from right to left. When I sent my aide to order the
Fifteenth Mississippi to charge, I sent by him an order to General
Carroll to advance a regiment to sustain it. He ordered up for that
purpose Colonel Murray's Regiment, which engaged the enemy on the
left of the Mississippi Regiment and on the right of Stanton's Regi-
ment. I ordered Captain Rutledge, with two of his guns, forward m
the road to an advanced and hazardous position, ordering Colonel
Stanton to support him, where 1 hoped he might bring them to play
effectively upon the enemy; but the position did not permit this, and
he soon retired, under my order. At this point the horse of Captain
Rutledge was killed under him.
Very soon the enemy began to gain ground on our left, and to use
their superior force for flanking in that quarter. I was in person at
the right of the line of Stanton's Regiment, the battle raging, and did
not observe this as soon as it was observed by General Carroll, who
moved the regiment of Colonel Cummings, then commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, to the left, to meet this movement of the
enemy, and formed the Seventeenth Tennessee, commanded by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Miller, to support the regiment. The regiments of
Murray, Stanton and Cummings were driven back by the enemy, and,
while re-forming in rear of the Seventeenth Tennessee, that well-dis-
ciplined regiment met and held in check for some time the entire right
wing of the Northern army. These regiments on my left and on the
left of the road, retired across the field, a distance of about 250 yards,
and there for a time repulsed the enemy. Especially the regiment of
Colonel Stanton, partially rallied by its gallant field officers, formed
behind a fence, and, pouring volleys into the ranks of the enemy
coming across the field, repulsed and drove them back for a time with
heavy loss.
For an hour now the Fifteenth Mississippi, under Lieutenant-Colo-
nel Walthall, and the Twentieth Tennessee, under Colonel Joel A.
Battle, of my center and right, had been struggling with the superior
force of the enemy.
I cannot omit to mention the heroic valor of these two regiments,
officers and men. When the left retired they were flanked and com-
pelled to leave their position. In their rear, on the right of the road,
was the regiment of Colonel Powell (Twenty-ninth Tennessee), which
had been formed in the rear and ordered forward by me some time
before. General Carroll ordered this- regiment to face the flanking
force of the enemy which was crossing the road from the left side,
which it did, checking it with a raking fire at thirty paces. In this
conflict. Colonel Powell, commanding, was badly wounded.
The Sixteenth Alabama, which was the reserve corps of my divis-
ion, commanded by Colonel Wood, did, at this critical juncture, most
eminent service. Having rushed behind the right and center, it came
to a close engagement with the pursuing enemy, to protect the flanks
and rear of the Fifteenth Mississippi and the Twentieth Tennessee
when they were the last, after long fighting, to leave the front line of
the battle, and, well led by its commanding officer, in conjunction
with portions of other regiments, it effectually prevented pursuit and
protected my return to camp.
Owing to the formation and character of the field of battle, I was
unable to use my artillery and cavalry to advantage in the action.
During much of the time the engagement lasted rain was falling.
Many of the men were armed with flint-lock muskets, and they be-
came soon unserviceable. ........
During the engagement, or just prior to it, the force under General
Thomas was increased by the arrival, on a forced march, of a brigade
from his rear, which I had hoped would not arrive until the engage-
ment was over. This made the force of the enemy about 12,000 men.
My effective force was 4,000. The engagement lasted three hours.
My loss was
125 killed,
309
wounded and
99
missing, as follows:
January, 1862. 119
TROOPS. Killed. Wounded. Missing
Fifteenth Mississippi Regiment
:
44
Twentieth Tennessee (Battle)
33
Nineteenth Tennessee (Cummings) lo
Twenty-fifth Tennessee (Stanton) lo
Seventeenth Tennessee (Newman) ii
Twenty-eighth Tennessee (Murray) \
3
Twenty-ninth Tennessee (Powell)
5
Sixteenth Alabama
9
Captain Saunders' Cavalry :
153
enemy followed and took position in force on my left, center and right.
They opened with two batteriesone in front of my cen-
ter and one on my right. Captain McClung and Lieutenant Falconet,
commanding a section of Rutledge's Battery, replied to the enemy's
battery in front. From the right the enemy fired upon the steam-
boat, which, at the crossing, was commanded by their position.
Their first shots fell short, afterwards, mounting a larger gun, as it
grew dark, they fired a shot or two over the boat, and awaited the
morning to destroy it. The steamboat destroyed, the crossing of the
river would have been impossible. . .....
On the evening of the 19th, I called in consultation General Car-
roll, Colonel Cummings, engineers, artillery and other officers, and it
was considered best by all to retire from Beech Grove.
I ordered the men to be crossed overfirst, by commands, in
designated order, then the artillery to be crossed over, then what
could be crossed of baggage and mules, horses, wagons, etc. I di-
rected the cavalry to swim their horses over. Time only permitted to
cross the infantry under arms, the sick and wounded, one company of
cavalry mounted, the rest of the cavalry dismounted, the artillerymen
and some horses. Many cavalry horses, artillery horses, mules,
wagons and eleven pieces of artillery, with baggage and camp and
garrison equipage were left behind.
Much is due to the energy, skill and courage of Captain Spiller,
of the cavalry, who commanded the boat and continued crossing over
with it until fired upon b) the enemy in the morning, when he burned
it, by my directions. ....
Any further collision was now prevented, but the want of commis-
sary stores compelled me at once to move to Gainesboro, lower
down on the river, a distance of eighty miles, and the nearest point
where I could have communication by water with Nashville and could
obtain supplies. .......
From Gainesborough I have moved my division to this point
(Chestnut Mound), where it is refurnished and drilling, and I have
the honor to report that it is ready for any service to which it may be
assigned. G. B. Crittenden,
Major- General Provisional Army Confederate States.
Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Mackall,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
'^-
*
]>]). 105-110.
January, 1862. 121
I take the followinor extracts from General Thomas'
o
official report of the engagement near Fishing Creek:
Headquarters First Division, Department of the Ohio,
Somerset, Kentucky, January 31,
1862.
Captain: . . . I reached Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles
north of the intrenched camp of the enemy on the Cumberland River,
on the 17th instant, with a portion of the Second and Third Brigades,
Kenny's Battery of artillery, and battalion of Wolford's Cavalry.
The Fourth and Tenth Kentucky, Fourteenth Ohio, and the Eight-
eenth U. S. Infantry being still in rear, detained by the almost im-
passable condition of the roads, I determined to halt at this point to
await their arrival and to communicate with General Schoepf.
General Schoepf visited me on the day of my arrival, and after
consultation I directed him to send to my camp Standart's Battery,
the Twelfth Kentucky, and the First and the Second Tennnssee Reg-
iments to remain until the arrival of the regiments in rear.
The Fourth Kentucky, the Battalion of Michigan Engineers,
and Wetmore's Battery joined on the i8th.
About 6:30 o'clock on the morning of the 19th, the pickets from
Wolford's Cavalry encountered the enemy advancing on our camp, re-
tired slowly and reported their advance to Colonel M. D. Manson,
commanding the Second Brigade. He immediately formed his regi-
ment (the Tenth Indiana) and took a position on the road to await
the attack, ordering the Fourth Kentucky (Colonel S. S. Fry) to sup-
port him, and then informed me in person that the enemy were ad-
vancing in force. I directed him to join his brigade immediately and
hold the enemy in check until I could order up the other troops, which
were ordered to form immediately and were marching to the field in
ten minutes. ..........
On reaching the position held by the Fourth Kentucky, Tenth In-
diana, and Wolford's Cavalry, at a poiiit where the roads fork leading
to Somerset, I found the enemy advancing through a corn field and
evidently endeavorimg to gain the left of the Fourth Kentucky, which
was maintaining its position in a most determined manner. I directed
one of my aides to ride back and order up a section of artillery, and
the Tennessee Brigade to advance on the enemy's. right, and sent or-
ders to Colonel McCook to advance with his two regiments (the Ninth
Ohio and Second Minnesota) to the support of Fourth Kentucky and
Tenth Indiana.
\
A section of Captain Kenny's Battery took a position on the edge of
the iield to the left of Fourth Kentucky and opened an efficient fire
on a regiment of Alabamians, which were advancing on the Fourth
Kentucky. Soon afterward the Second Minnesota arrived, the Col-
onel (Van Cleve) reporting to me for instructions. I directed him to
take the position of the Fourth Kentucky and Tenth Indiana, which
regiments were nearly out of ammunition. The Ninth Ohio .
came into position on the right of the road at the same time.
Immediately after these regiments had gained their positions the
enemy opened a most determined and galling fire, which was returned
by our troops in the same spirit, and for nearly half an hoar the con-
test was maintained on both sides in the most obstinate manner. At
this time the Twelfth Kentucky* (Colonel Haskins) and the Tennes-
see Brigade* reached the field to the left of the Minnesota Regiment,
and opened fire on the right flank of the enemy, who then began to
fall back. The Second Minnesota kept up a most galling fire in front,
and the Ninth Ohio charged the enemy on the right with bayonets
fixed, turned their flank and drove them from the field, the whole line
giving way and retreating in the utmost disorder and confusion.
As soon as the regiments could be formed and refill their cartridge-
boxes, I ordered the whole force to advance. ... As we ap-
proached their intrenchments the division was deployed in line of bat-
tle and steadily advanced to the summit of the hill at Moulden's.
From this point I directed their intrenchments to be cannonaded,
which was done until dark by Standart's and Wetmore's Batteries.
Kenny's Battery was placed in position on the extreme left at Russell's
house, from which point he was directed to fire on their ferry to deter
them from attempting to cross. . . . And every preparation was
made to assault their intrenchments on the following morning. The
Fourteenth ^hio (Steedman) and the Tenth Kentucky (Harlan), hav-
ing joined from detached service soon after the repulse of the enemy,
. were placed in front in my advance on the intrenchments the
next morning and entered first. General Schoepf also joined me the
evening of the 19th with the Seventeenth, Thirty-first, and Thirty-
eighth Ohio. His entire brigade entered with the other troops.
On reaching the intrenchments we found the enemy had abandoned
every thing and retired during the night. Twelve pieces of artillery,
*
Both from Somerset. So you see that Critiendcn did not attack Thomas
i)efore the arrival of the Somerset force, as he had hoped to do.
January, 1862.
123
with their caissons packed with ammunition, one battery wagon and
two forges, a large amount of ammunition, a large number of small
arms, mostly the old flint-lock muskets, one hundred and fifty or one
hundred and sixty wagons, and upwards of one thousand horses and
mules, a large amount of commissary stores, intrenching tools, and
camp and garrison equipage fell into our hands. ....
The steam and ferry boats having been burned by the enemy in
their retreat, it was found impossible to cross the river and pursue
them. ...........
Colonel S. S. Fry, Fourth Kentucky, was slightly wounded whilst
his regiment was gallantly resisting the advance of the enemy, during
whch time General Zollicoffer fell from a shot from his (Colonel
Fry's) pistol, which no doubt contributed materially to the discomfiture
of the enemy.
The enemy's loss, as far as known, is as follows : . . .
192 killed;
89
prisoners not wounded and 68 wounded; a total of
killed, wounded and prisoners,
349.
Our loss was as follows: 39
killed and 207 wounded.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Geo. H. Thomas,
Brigadier- General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
Captain
J.
B. Fry.
A. A. G., Chief
of Staff,
Headquarters Department Ohio, Louisville, A'r.*
According to the preceding reports, the Fifteenth
Mississippi lost more men killed (five more) than Gen-
eral Thomas' entire division, or our entire loss in killed
was nearly five times greater than that of the enemy.
Surely the superiority of the enemy in arms did not
make the difference so great. According to Critten-
den's report, the loss of the enemy in killed and wound-
ed was greater than ours.
In
July,
1880, ex-President Davis wrote to General G.
B. Crittenden
"
requesting a statement of the affairs at
Fishine Creek." The following^ is an e.xtract from
Crittenden's reply:
*
pp. 79
to 82.
124 K. R. Hancock's Diary.
While I was detained in Knoxville on business connected with my
command, I received an official communication from General Zolli-
coffer, informing me that he had crossed the Cumberland by fording,
and was fortifying a camp on the right bank, etc. By the messenger
who bore me this communication I ordered him to recross the river
and resume his original position on the left bank. Early in January
I reached Mill Springs and found, to my surprise, General Zollicoffer
still on the right bank. He called on me immediately and informed
me that his messenger who bore back my order had lost several days
in returning, and that when it was received he supposed that I would
arrive almost immediately, and, hoping to be able to convince me that
it would be better to remain on the right bank, he had postponed
crossing, until, by a rise in the river, it had become impossible to da
so. ... I was dissatisfied, but as I knew that the General had
been actuated by pure motives, I accepted his excuse. Details were
promptly placed in the woods to prepare timber for flat-boats to trans-
port the artillery and wagons to the left bank of the river. The
weather was execrable and the men unskilled, so that the work pro-
gressed slowly.
Such was the posture of affairs when, on the i8th of January, I was
informed that General Thomas was approaching with a large force of
all arms. . . . Here was thrust upon me the very contingency
which my order to General Zollicoffer was intended to obviate. . . .
We had scarcely taken up the line of march when the rain began
to fall, the darkness became intense, and the consequent confusion
great, so that day dawned before we reached his position. The attack
as a surprise, failed; nevertheless, it was promptly made. It rained
violently throughout the action, rendering all the flint-lock guns use-
less. The men bearing them were allowed to fall back on the re-
serve. ...........
I attributed the loss of the battle, in a great degree, to the inferi-
ority of our arms and the untimely fall of General Zollicoffer, who
was known and highly esteemed by the men, who were almost all
Tennesseeans.
I think I have shown that the battle of Fishing Creek was a neces-
sity, and that I ought not to be held responsible for that necessity.*
*The Rise and Fall of the C n federate Government, by Jefferson Davis^
Vol. II.,
pp. 19 o 21.
January, 1862. 125
Ex-President Davis concludes his criticism upon this
affair thus
:
By General Crittenden . . . it is assumed that General Zolli-
coffer made a mistake in crossing to the right bank of the Cumber-
land, and that thence it resulted as a consequence that General
John-
ston's right flank of his line through Bowling Green was uncovered,.
I do not perceive the correctness of the conclusion, for it must be ad-
mitted that General Zollicoffer's command was not adequate to resist
the combined forces of Thomas and Schopf (Schoepf), or that the
Cumberland River was a sufficient obstacle to prevent them from
crossing either above or below the position at Mill Springs.
General ZoUicoffer may well have believed that he could better re-
sist the crossing of the Cumberland by removing to the right bank
rather than by remaining on the left. The only difference, it seems to
me, would have been that he could have retreated without the discom-
fiture of his force or the loss of his artillery and equipments, but in
either case Johnston's right flank would have been alike uncovered
To ZoUicoffer and the brave patriots who fell with him, let praise,
not censure, be given; and to Crittenden, let tardy justice render the
meed due to a gallant soldier of the highest professional attainments,
and whose fault, if fault it be, was a willingness to dare much in his
country's service.
--^
Captain AlHson, who was in command of our battal-
ion, ordered us to saddle our horses and be ready to
move at a moment's warnino- ; but he did not receive a
single order during- the day.
?5
Monday, 2otJi. Some of our boys went down the
river that morning before day to assist in bringing the
wounded, on horses, back to a point out of range of the
Federal guns. A few of the severely wounded had to
be left on the north side of the river.
Surgeon D. B. Cliff was allowed by General Thomas
to accompany the remains of General ZoUicoffer and
Lieutenant Bailie Peyton to Louisville, Kentucky, and
*The Rise and Fall nf the Confederate Government, by Jefferson Davis,
Vol. II.,
p. 23.
from there, if General Biiell would consent, to Nash-
ville, Tennessee.*
Having been sent with a dispatch to General Zolli-
coffer's headquarters, a few days previous to his death,
he invited me, though but a "high private," into his
tent, offered me a drink of wine, and treated me with as
much respect and politeness as if I had been his equal
in rank.
His men did not only have confidence in him as a
commander, but he had been so good and so kind to
them that they had learned to love him almost with
filial affection. Hence the fall of our gallant leader was
a desperate blow to the followers. And, unfortunately,
General Crittenden had been with the command only
sixteen days and General Carroll only four previous to
this unfortunate event.
To add to the demoralization of our little army, such
rumors as the following were now afloat in camps
:
"Crittenden is drunk a good portion of the time."
"
He has a brother in the Federal army." "He is in
sympathy with the North."
"
He will surrender us all
to the Federals if he has a good opportunity," etc. It
was thought by some that the Fifteenth Mississippi
were so desperately mad that they would have shot him
if they had had a good opportunity. It was said that
he ordered the brigades to halt and fortify at Monti-
cello, Kentucky, and that the colonels refused to obey
orders. I give the above as rumors, allowing each
reader to have his own opinion about them. But,
whether true or untrue, they had a demoralizing effect
upon the command.
*
p. 565.
January, 1862. 12T
On Januar)- 27th the Hon. Landon C. Haynes wrote
from Knoxville to President Davis thus
:
The Army of the Cumberland is utterly routed and demoralized.
The result is regarded with the profoundest solicitude. Confidence is
gone in the ranks and among the people. It must be restored. I am
confident it cannot be done under Generals Crittenden and Carroll.
I do not propose to inquire whether the loss of public con-
fidence in Generals Crittenden and Carroll is ill or well founded. It
is sufficient that all is lost. ........
I must think, as everybody else does, that there has been a great
mistake made. . . . Cannot you, Mr. President, right the wrong
by the immediate presence of a new and able man ?
-'^
On the same date (27th) Governor Isham G. Harris
dispatched thus to Hon.
J.
D. C. Atkins:
Crittenden can never rally troops in East Tennessee. Some other
general must be sent there.*
We fell back to Monticello, nine miles from the river,
unmolested by the Federals. The infantry and /oo^
cavalry had quite a disagreeable march on account of
so much mud. The command halted for the night
about one mile south of Monticellothat is to say, a
part of the command, for a good many besides our
battalion kept moving homeward.
There was nothing to have hindered us from bringing
off all the camp equipage belonging to our battalion, as
we were camping on the south side of the river, but in
place of doing that we lost all, leaving our tents in
flames, I suppose it was thought that the Federals
would cross the river and follow us, but they did not.
Col. McNairy being absent, the captains of our bat-
talion held a consultation at Monticello, and after taking;
all things into considerationno rations, camp equipage,
etc.they decided to disband, allow the men to go
'Rebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 849.
home for a few days, get a better supply of clothing
and return to our command again.
We had only gone about one mile from Monticello
when Captain Parrish (Company C) halted, saying, "I
am not willing to take so much responsibility upon my-
self. I am going back to the command." So that
caused a confusion, and the battalion began to scatter.
Captain Parrish, fourteen of his company and one of
our company
(J.
R. Dougherty) remained. The rest of
the battalion went home, being instructed to meet the
command
agrain at Gainesboro, on the Cumberland
River, in Jackson County, Tennessee. We now trav-
eled in small squads, on different roads. Lieutenant
George x'\lexander, brother Ben (B. A. Hancock) and
I, going in the direction of Jamestown, Tennessee, put
up for the night within four miles of Wolf River.
Tuesday, 21st. One of our company, A. G. Ewing,
was very sick, and had to be brought off in one of our
company wagons, driven by Jesse Jones.
The team, be-
ing very thin in order and almost broken down, stalled
at the bank of Wolf River. Ben and I, being mounted
on good wagon horses, took out the jaded team, put in
ours and brought Ewing on to Jamestown.
Wednesday, 22d. We moved out in the direction of
White Plains; on the 23d we passed through White
Plains, and on the 24th we crossed Caney Fork River
at Trousdale's Ferry, and stopped for the night at the
Widow Allen's. Here we left Ewing in the care of Mr.
Anderson French, a member of our battalion, who was
afterwards lieutenant. He was to take Ewing by stage
to his (Ewing's) uncle's, near Nashville. Ewing suf-
fered a great deal during the trip. He was very low
spirited. It seemed that he had just as soon die as live.
February, 1862. 129
He frequently said to us,
"
Drive the wagon out of the
road, take out your horses and go on home."
Saturday, 2^th.Ben and I went on home by the way
of New Middleton and Alexandria, taking the wagon
on home with us. We were about the last of the com-
pany getting home. It had been seven months since
we first started into service from Auburn, Cannon
County, Tennessee.
Crittenden moved on from Monticello, Kentucky, by
the way of Livingston, Tennessee, to Gainesboro.
There some of the regiments that were near home
were disbanded for a few days, while a few tents and
cooking vessels were procured for the rest. Captain
Parrish's Company and
J.
R. Dougherty were fur-
loughed for twenty days.
We remained at home until
Stmday, February 2d. About twenty-eight of Cap-
tain T. M. Allison's Company left home to rejointhe
command at Gainesboro. Had one wagon with us, in
which we had rations to last us to camps. Passing
Alexandria, about eight of us stopped for the night
about one mile beyond, with Mr. Davis, while the rest
went one mile further and stopped with Mr. Smith.
Mo7iday, jd.As our wagon broke down, we had
only marched about twelve miles, when we stopped at
the Widow Allen's, on the bank of Caney Fork River,
and had our wagon repaired.
Tuesday, ^th.Crossing Caney Fork, we marched
twenty miles and stopped for the night at one Mr. Alli-
son's, in Putnam County, within seventeen miles of
Gainesboro.
9
Wednesday, ^th.When within five miles of Gaines-
boro we met the advance of the First Brigade, now un-
der the command of Colonel Statham, going in the
direction of Carthage by the way of Chestnut Mound.
Captain Allison, I and four others went on to Gaines-
boro. There we found General Carroll's Brigade, and
Colonel McNairy with a part of our battalion. Colonel
McNairy said we had better go back to Mr. Allison's,
or in that neighborhood, in order to get forage for our
horses. We went back and remained in the Allison
neighborhood until
Friday, yth.As Colonel Statham passed Mr. Alli-
son's he ordered our company to go on in advance of his
brigade toward Carthage. Going six miles, where the
brigade camped for the night, we were overtaken with
a dispatch from Colonel McNairy ordering us back to
Livingston.
Going back to Mr. Allison's, we there met another
dispatch from Colonel McNairy ordering us to halt, as
the order for our battalion to go to Livingston had been
countermanded. So we put up for the night with Mr.
Allison. The rest of the battalion passed us, some of
them going as far as Chestnut Mound.
Saturday, 8th. Passing Chestnut Mound, our com-
pany put up for the night one mile beyond. The rest
of the battalion remained near Chestnut Mound.
Under the above date the Secretary of War,
J.
P.
Benjamin, wrote to General A. S. Johnston as follows:
We have ordered to Knoxville three Tennessee regiments
(Vaughn's, Maney's and Bate's), the First Georgia Regiment and
four regiments from General Bragg's command to be forwarded by
him. ............
The whole force in East Tennessee will thus amount, as we think,
Febrfart, 1862.
131
to at least fifteen regiments, and the President desires that you assign
the command to General Buckner.*
The formation of this new army for Eastern Tennessee will leave
Genera] Crittenden's army . . free to act with your center.
The President thinks it best to break up the army of General Crit-
tenden, demoralized by its defeat, and that you should distribute the
forces composing it among other troops. You can form a new com-
mand for General Crittenden, connected with your own corps, in such
manner as you may deem best.
General Crittenden has demanded a court of inf[uiry, and it has
been ordered; but from all the accounts which now reach us we have
no reason to doubt his skill or conduct in his recent movements, and
feel convinced that it is not to any fault of his that the disaster at
Somerset (Fishing Creek) is to be attributed.
f
Sunday, gth.General Carroll's Brigade passed on
toward Carthage. Allison was instructed to remain
until further orders. We were in Smith County, eight
and a half miles from Carthage. The whole division
halted.
Mo7iday, loth.
J. S. Anderson
J
shot and killed W.
K. Natcher at Chestnut Mound. The latter was drunk.
They were both members of Harris' Company. About
three months previous to this Natcher had killed An-
derson's brother-in-law, George Aiken,
Tuesday, nth.Our company went back to Chestnut
Mound. After the burial of Natcher and a short drill,
we returned to our former boarding places.
Wednesday. 12th.The battalion met at Chestnut
Mound again to drill, after which we scattered out to
Major-General E. K. Smith was sent to East Tennessee. General Buckner

surrendered with the garrison at Fort Donelson, February i6th.
t
p.
862.
:}: Andersoai was put under arrest, and marched through with the Fifteenth
Mississip]:)i to Corinth, Mississippi, He fought so bravely in the Shiloh battle
that I think he was afterward released.
hunt lodging places for the night, for our company still
had neither tents nor cooking vessels. Only about nine-
ty-five of our battalion had returned to camps to date.
In place of going on to Carthage, as we expected, Colo-
nel Statham, being in front, turning to the left, moved
his brigade down and went into camp on the east bank
of Caney Fork River near Trousdale's Ferry.
Thursday, ijih. Captain Allison's Company crossed
Caney Fork at Trousdale's Ferry. Thirteen more of
his company joined him. The rest of McNairy's Bat-
talion moved from Chestnut Mound down to where
Colonel Statham's Brigade was camping on the east side
of Caney Fork.
Saturday, i^tJi. The deepest snow of the season
was on the ground that morning
abottt
half
an inch
deep.
General Crittenden was now ordered by General
Johnston to move without delay on Nashville, halting
within ten miles of the city and reporting.
f
Sunday, i6th.
By
daylight all of Colonel Statham's
Brigade had crossed Caney F'ork except a few wagons.
Before night General Carroll's Brigade, except two regi-
ments (Stanton's* and Murray's, that were yet behind),
had crossed. Four companies of McNairy's Battalion
were still on the east side of Caney Fork waiting for
those other two regiments.
Seven regiments of Crittenden's Division had crossed
and moved out in the direction of Nashville by the way
of Lebanon. Allison's company was still boarding
among the citizens near Trousdale's Ferry.
tRebellion Records, Vol. VII.,
p. 882.
*
Stanton belonged to Statham's Brigade,
Rebellion Records, Vol, VII.,
p.
862,
February, 18G2. 133
The following explains itself:
Headquarters Western Department,
Edgefield, February 17th, 1862.
Afa/or- General Ciitteiiden, Com//landing Chestnut Mound :
General Johnston directs you to move your command to Murfrees-
boro (instead of Nashville) without delay. Press all tlie wagons you
need. Fort Donelson has fallen, and General Floyd's army is capt-
ured after a gallant defense. Respectfully,
W. \V. MACKALL.t
Wednesday, igth.
^Stanton's and Murray's Ivegi-

ments came to and commenced crossing the river.
Thursday, 20th.Owing to the high water those two
regiments made slow progress crossing the river.
Friday, 21st.They finished crossing the river. The
other four companies of McNairy's Battalion crossed
also.
Sahn^day, 22d. McNairy's Battalion took up the line
of March again, following the division in the direction
of Murfreesboro. As it rained nearly all day, and
brother Ben was unwell, he and I remained at one Mr.
Coffee's, where we had been boarding for several days.
Sunday, 2jd.As it was a beautiful day, and Ben
was able to ride, we went home, near Auburn, Cannon
County, Tenn., distance twenty-three miles.
Tuesday, 2^th. I left home* to rejoin the battalion
near Murfreesboro. After a ride of nineteen miles I,
with several others of Allison's Company, stopped for
the night with Colonel E. S. Smith's Battalion, within
two miles of Murfreesboro.
I will here pause to make a few remarks in reference
to the movements of the Confederates at other points.
t
p. 889.
*
The last time I saw home until June 3d, 1865.
Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, fell into the hands
of the Federals on February 6th. General Grant,
making Fort Henry his base of operations, moved
against Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River.
General Buckner, with about nine thousand five hun-
dred rank and file, surrendered the latter place to Grant
on the 1 6th.
About this time the Confederates at Bowling Green,
Kentucky, fell back to Nashville before General Buell.
By the 23d the last of the Confederate troops evacuated
the latter place, falling back to Murfreesboro.
Nashville was formally surrendered by the Mayor to
General Buell on the 25th of February.
So I found quite a number of infantry, cavalry and
artillery at Murfreesboro under the command of Gen-
eral Albert Sidney Johnston.
That portion of Johnston's army which was now with
him at Murfreesboro, and known as the Central Army,
was composed of three divisions, commanded respect-
ively by Major-Generals Hardee, Crittenden and Pillow,
and one "reserve" brigade under Brigadier-General
Breckinridge. Each division was composed of two
brigades, making a total of seven brigades.
Bennett's Battalion, which was afterward consoli-
dated with McNairy's, belonged to Hindman's Brigade
and Hardee's Division.
Wednesday, 26th.We rejoined our battalion at
Black's Shop, seven miles from Murfreesboro, on the
Lebanon pike. We were ordered to hunt quarters for
the night, as we still had no tents.
Thursday^
2^111. On reassembling the battalion drew
five tents to each company, and put them up at Black's
Shop.
March, 1862.
135
Hearing that the Federals were about five miles south
of Nashville and still advancing toward Murfreesboro,
the battalion moved out about eight miles in the direc-
tion of the former place. Hearing that about one thou-
sand Confederate cavalry were three miles in advance
of us, we turned and went back to camps at Black's
Shop.
Friday, 28th.Crittenden's Division, to which Mc-
Nairy's Battalion still belonged, took up the line of
march again for Corinth Mississippi. Passing on
through Murfreesboro, we went into camps about ten
miles beyond, on the Shelbyville pike. Johnston also
put the rest of his command in motion southward.
Saturday, March ist. Passing on through Shelby-
ville, crossing Duck River, we went into camps on its
bank in sight of town, in Bedford County, twenty-five
miles from Murfreesboro, where we remained until
Tuesday, f.tJi.
Johnston dispatched thus to the Secre-

tary of War from Shelbyville
:
My army will move beyond this to-day on the road to Decatur.
One brigade remains here to protect the stores until they are shijjped
south.
I will be at the telegraph ofifice at Fayetteville to-morrow morning
to receive any communications.*
After a march of about fifteen miles on the Fayette-
ville pike, we went into camps in a beautiful woods,
where we had plenty of wood for fires.
Wednesday, ^th.Passing on through Fayetteville,
crossing Elk River, we went into camps on its bank half
a mile from town, in Lincoln County. Had another
nice camping place. Distance from Shelbyville to Fay-
etteville, twenty-six miles. Here we rested one day.
*
p. 917.
Finday, yth. After a march of about seven miles in
the direction of Athens, Alabama, we camped for the
night in a barren, swampy country, in Lincoln County.
Saturday, 8th. After a march of eleven miles through
a broken country, we camped in an oak grove, still in
Lincoln County, Tennessee.
Su7iday, gth.We marched through a section of coun-
try the principal growth of which was post-oak. There
were so many quicksand bogs that it was difficult for
our wagons to pass. Aiarching about eleven miles,
passing out of Tennessee, we camped for the night in
Limestone County, Alabama.
Monday, loth.Passing on through Athens, we went
into camps about two miles beyond. Distance from
Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Athens, Alabama, thirty-
eight miles. As it rained the night before, the roads
were still worse.
Tuesday, nth.After mounting and moving out, per-
haps, one mile and a half in the direction of Decatur,
we were ordered back to the same camp we had just
left, in a nice oak grove. It was a beautiful day.
Wednesday, 12th.The battalion moved only about
six miles and went into camps. The artillery moved on
still further in the direction of Decatur.
Thursday, ijth.Our battalion crossed the Tennes-
see River on the railroad bridge at Decatur, and went
into camps about one mile west of town. The artillery
and wagons of our division (Crittenden's), being loaded
about two miles from the river, were brought over on
the cars. Distance from Athens to Decatur, fourteen
miles ; from Murfreesboro to Decatur, one hundred and
three miles.
March, 18G2. 1-37
Crittenden's Division remained near Decatur, in
Morgan County, for several days.
Friday, iîh. About dusk there was an awful storm
of wind and rain. It was all we could do to keep our
tents from blowing off.
Tuesday, i8thMcNairy's Battalion drew five months'
pay, from the ist of August to December 31st, 1861.
Each private drew twenty-four dollars per month. There
were quite a number of troops camped near Decatur,
but they were being rapidly conveyed by rail to Cor-
inth, Mississippi.
Wednesday, igth.Carroll's Brigade moved out by
rail for Corinth. Five of Allison's Company who had
been home rejoined their company.
Thursday, 20th.Statham's Brigade (except Mc-
Nairy's Battalion*) with their baggage left by rail for
Corinth, Mississippi.
The wagons belonging to the two brigades did not go
through by rail, but were taken through by their teams.
After a march of about twenty miles McNairy's Battal-
ion camped for the night in a beautiful lot within four
miles of Courtland.
Friday, 21st. We found the Tennessee Valley to be
a better farming coimtry than some we had passed
through. The road was also better. After a ride of
twenty-four miles the battalion halted for the night within
four miles of Tuscumbia, in Franklin County, Alabama.
' Our liattalion Lad been with the above named brigade about six months,
but we were here separated from the flw true, the noblt-, and ///( urave soldiers
who composed that brigade to be united with them no more during the war.
Perhaps there were but few,
if
any, better brigades in the Confederate service
than ZoUicoffer's, and afterward Statham's Brigade.
Saturday, 22d.
The battalion moved on through and

camped about seven miles beyond Tuscumbia.
Sunday, 2jd. After a ride of about thirty miles,
crossing Big Bear Creek, the battalion went into camps
near luka, in Tishamingo County, Mississippi, within
about twenty-five miles of Corinth. The battalion re-
mained near luka for about three weeks. Distance
from Decatur to Tuscumbia, forty-eight miles ; from
Decatur to luka, eighty-five.
Monday, z^th*A little after dark seventy-five of
the battalion went out to guard the railroad bridge
which crossed Bear Creek about seven miles east of
luka.
Tuesday, 2^th.Bear Creek empties into the Tennes-
see River eight miles north-east of luka. Chickasaw
was a little village above, or on the east of Bear Creek,
and Eastport was below, both on the bank of the Ten-
nessee. The Confederates had a battery at the latter
place. Two Federal gun-boats came up the river to
Eastport, and opened fire on our battery. The boats
fell back down the river soon after our battery opened
on them. A part of our battalion was still guarding
Bear Creek bridge.
Sunday, joth.I and two others being on picket
within five miles of Chickasaw, and hearing the firing of
artillery a little below, mounted our horses and went to
the river at the above named place. The firing that ap-
peared so near ceased before we reached Chickasaw,
Brother Will and I left the battalion at Tuscumbia (on the 22d) to visit some
of our relatives (Aunt Martha Ramsey's and Uncle Ben Hancock's families), who
lived fourteen miles south on the Russellville road. After spending an evening
and one night very pleasantly with our relatives, we rejoined the battalion at
luka on the 24th.
April, 18G2. 139
but heavy cannonading was still going on, we supposed,
at Savannah, twenty-five miles below. I learned after-
ward that the firing that appeared so near was six miles
below Chickasaw, and occurred as follows: A gun-boat
was coming up the river with a sounding skiff in ad-
vance. Some Confederate cavalry, being near the river,
killed one man in the skiff. The gun-boat then fired a
few shots, without doing any harm, so far as I know.
Titcsday, April ist. Two gun-boats and three trans-
ports came up and landed some troops at Eastport and
Chickasaw, after firing a few shots at the former place.
Fhere was a picket guard from our battaHon at the lat-
ter place. One of our picket reported to Colonel Mc-
Nairy, while the others withdrew to a neighboring hill,
from which they could watch the movements of the Fed-
erals. About dark the battalion mounted and moved
out in the direction of Chickasaw. The advance guard,
having gone on to the river, and finding that the Federal
boats, after taking the troops aboard again, had been
withdrawn, met the battalion two miles from the river.
So we aii returned to camps without a fight.
Our camp was moved out near the Bear Creek
bridge.
Thursday, jd.I and five others were on picket on
the bank of the Tennessee at Chickasaw. About nine
o'clock A. M. another gun-boat paid us a visit. She had
eleven guns aboard. After spying round awhile, she
went back down the river, without either landing any
troops or firing a gun. The battalion moved to luka,
and camped in the
"
luka Springs" lot, in the edge of
town. There were a couple of nice mineral springs
there.
Saturday, ^th. The battalion moved to a nice camp-
140 R. R. Hancook's Diary.
ing place in an old field, one mile west of luka, where
it remained about eleven days.
Sunday, 6th.On the above day and date commenced
one of the great battles of the
"
War Between the
States," generally known as the "Battle of Shiloh."
Finding a very full description of said battle in the
History of Forrest's Campaigns, from the pen of Gen-
eral Thomas Jordan (than whom, perhaps, no other was
better qualified to describe said battle, as he was at the
time A. S. Johnston's Adjutant-General), I will copy at
length, though I shall somewhat abridge without using
marks of ellipsis or quotation points :
The Confederate forces that had abandoned Ken-
tucky and Middle Tennessee were assembled by rail-
road from Huntsville and Decatur at Corinth, in North
Mississippi.
Major-General Polk's forces, from Columbus, Ken-
tucky, and West Tennessee, had likewise been concen-
trated at the same place, as well as a splendid corps
under General Bragg, drawn from Pensacola and New
Orleans, with the addition of some newly-enrolled Mis-
sissippi regiments. This force was reorganized during
the last week of March into three army corps : The
First, commanded by Major-General Polk ; the Second,
by Major-General Bragg, and the Third, by Major-
General Hardee. The cavalry had a separate organi-
zation of about four thousand five hundred. The whole
was under the chief command of Albert Sidney
John-
ston, with Beauregard as second in command.
While the Confederates were thus occupied their ad-
versary had not been dilatory. General Grant, under
orders from his superior, had proceeded, with his force
engaged in the operations ending in the fall of Fort
April, 1802. 141
Donelson, and established himself at a point upon the
west bank of the Tennessee River known as Pittsburu
Landintr. Here, too, he had been followed soon by
three other divisions, commanded by W. T. Sherman,
Hurlburt and Prentiss.
Moreover, after diverting one of his divisions (Mitch-
ell's) toward Huntsville, Alabama, General Buell, with
his other four divisions, was known to be rajjidly con-
verging to the same theater of operations.
Thus matters stood on the evening of the 2d of
April : Two considerable hostile armies had been
brought within eighteen miles of each other, with no
physical barrier, such as a large river or mountain, be-
tween them.
Iêing satisfied the time had come to spring upon, if
possible, surprise and crush General Grant's army be-
fore Buell had come up. General Johnston, about eleven
o'clock on the night of the 2d, decided to put his army
in movement the following day, and trust its fortunes to
the "iron dice" of battle. Accordingly the orders to
that end, issued at once by his Adjutant-General, were
received by his several corps commanders by forty min-
utes past one on the morning of the 3d of April, while
a reserve was organized at the same time of three bri-
gades, under Breckinridge, to move directly from Burns-
ville and join the main body at a petty cross-road vil-
lage called Monterey. By noon (the 3d) the whole
Confederate army was under arms and ready to begin
the march. But from untoward causes the First (Polk's)
Corps dici not get in motion so soon as had been ex-
pected, and did not bivouac as far in advance as was
desirable.
Moreover, the badness of the roads, caused by a
142 R. K. Hancock's Diary.
heavy rainfall the night of the 3d, so retarded the
movement that Bragg's Corps was not able the second
day to advance further than Monterey, whereas it had
been confidently anticipated that by the night of the
4th the whole army would have assembled in the vicinity
of their antagonist. Instead of being able to attack
Saturday morning, as anticipated. General Polk's Corps
did not reach the vicinity of the designated point of
concentration until quite as late as two o'clock Saturday
afternoon, 5th of April.
Though General Johnston, through his staff, had
made every effort to get his troops in position for an
attack that day.
Supremely chagrined that he had been balked in his
just expectations, it was now evidently too late for a
decisive engagement that afternoon, so General John-
ston called his corps and reserve commanders together,
and a council of war was held within less than two miles
of Shiloh Chapel, the headquarters of the Federal Gen-
eral Sherman.* General Beauregard earnestly advised
the idea of attacking the enemy should be abandoned,
and that the whole force should return to Corinth, inas-
much as it was now scarcely possible they would be
able to take the Federals unawares after such delay
and noisy demonstrations which had been made mean-
while.
It did seem that the Federals had had ample warning
of the impending tempest, for a force of Confederate
cavalry that had been sent forward mainly to procure
topographical information which hitherto the Confeder-
ate generals had been unable to acquire of that region,
Grant, the Federal Canimander-in-Chief, it appears, had gone that after-

11) )n down the river to Savannah, some tvi'elve miles distant.
April, I8G2.
143
had been pushed up, and somewhat injudiciously though
boldly landed in the immediate front of the Federal po-
sition. During that day (Saturday) one regiment of
cavalry (Colonel N. B. Forrest's) had had some lively
skirmishing on the left of the Federal position.
Therefore, Beauregard urged the enemy would be
now found formidably intrenched and ready for the at-
tack
;
that success had depended on the power to assail
them unexpectedly, tor they were superior in numbers,
and in large part had been under fire. On the other
hand, few comparatively of the Confederates had that
advantage, while a large part were too raw and recently
enrolled to make it proper to venture them in an assault
upon breastworks which would now be thrown up. And
this unquestionably was the view of almost all present.
General Johnston, having listened with grave atten-
tion to the views and opinions advanced, then remarked
in substance that he recognized the weight of the ob-
jections to an attack under the circumstances involved
by the unfortunate loss of time on the road. But, nev-
ertheless, he still hoped the enemy was not looking for
offensive operations, and that he would yet be able to
surprise them. And that, having put his army in mo-
tion for a battle, he would venture the hazard.
This decision being announced, the officers rapidly
dispersed to their respective posts in high and hopeful
spirits, notwithstanding the probabilities that all pre-
vious expectations of a surprise would fail of accom-
plishment.
Here a topographical sketch of the theater of war
may serve to make more intelligible the occurrences and
vicissitudes of the battle.
Two streams, Lick and Owl Creeks, taking their rise
very near each other, just westward of Monterey, Mow-
ing (a Httle east of north) nearly parallel with each oth-
er, the former empties into the Tennessee about three
miles above Pittsbur^^ Landing, the latter, after ming-
ling its waters with Snake Creek, empties into the Ten-
nessee about one mile below said landing. In other
words. Owl Creek empties into Snake Creek about
three or four miles (in a direct line, nearly west), from
the mouth of the latter. Intersected by various ravines,
drainatre is into Owl Creek, as the land rises hitrhest
and ridgelike near Lick Creek.
Recent heavy rains had rendered the soil boggy, es-
pecially along those small streams, and hence difficult
for artillery and cavalry. A primeval forest, cumbered
with a great deal of undergrowth, covered the region,
except a few small farms of fifty or seventy acres scat-
tered occasionally here and there. Two roads leacHng
from Corinth, crossing Lick Creek about a mile apart,
converge .together about two miles from Pittsburg
Landing. Other roads also approach from all direc-
tions : one from Purely crosses Owl Creek by a bridge
before its junction with Snake Creek ; one from
Crump's Landing, six miles below Pittsburg, crosses
Snake Creek by a bridge, and one from Hamburg Land-
ing, about four miles above, crosses Lick Creek by a
bridcre, about one and a half miles from its mouth.
A Federal force of five* strong divisions, thirty-seven
thousand infantry, three thousand cavalry and artillery,
and eighty-four guns, forty thousand of all arms, occu-
pied the space we have described, between Owl and
Grant had six divisions, but one of them (Lew Wallace's) was about six
miles below, near Crump's Landing, and consequently not in the first day's
fight.
April, 1862. 145
Lick Creeks, in front of Pittsburg, and were thus dis-
posed :
The first Federal Hne, extending from the crossing of
Owl Creek, on the Purdy road, to the crossing of Lick
Creek on the Hamburg road, was composed of Sher-
man's and Prentiss' Divisions. The headquarters of the
former were at a rustic log "meeting-house," called
Shiloh, while the latter was to the left. A third divis-
ion, that of jNlcClernand, was in supporting distance
of Sherman at the confluence of the two Corinth
roads.
A second line to the rearward was composed of Hurl-
but's and W. H. L. (not Lew) Wallace's Divisions, the
first of which was stretched across the Corinth road, and
the other extended to the leftward along the Hamburg
road.
By three o'clock Sunday morning the Confederate
army was all astir, and, after a hasty, scanty breakfast,
the lines were formed as follows
:
Hardee's corps, augmented by Gladden's Brigade
from Bragg's corps, constituted the first line, deployed
in battle order on the grounds upon which they had
bivouacked.
The second line, five hundred yards rearward, was
formed of Ruggles' Division and two brigades (the
other was in the first line) of Withers' Division, under
Major-General Bragg. The artillery of both corps fol-
lowed their respective lines by the Pittsburg road.
The First Corps (Clark's and Cheatham's Divisions)
under Major-General Polk, drawn up in a column of
brigades, deployed in line about eight hundred yards to
the rear of Bragg, constituted a third line.
Three brigades under Brigadier-General Breckinridge
10
constituted a special reserve* for the support of the at-
tacking Hnes as might be needed on either flank.
The cavalry,, about
4,300
strong, was distributed, for
the most part, to guard the flanks. The cavalry, with
the exception of Forrest's and Wharton's regiments,
being lately regimented, insufficiently armed, and wholly
without drill, together with the nature of the scene of
operations, was rendered almost valueless, and only the
two regiments mentioned took any material part in the
actions of either day.
About sunrise some thirty-four thousand infantry, with
about fifty guns, were in movement, with a bearing
never surpassed, to fall upon their enemyan enemy as
yet undeveloped, but known to be ensconced near at
hand in the fog and forest, superior in numbers and
equipments, for their many drums the evening before
had plainly told their formidable strength.
That the Federals did not take even the ordinary
precautions which habitually hedge an army in the field
is passing strange. Instead of that, in sooth, there was
no line of infantry pickets in advance of the ordinary
chain of sentinels, apparently no cavalry exterior either
to
Sherman or Prentiss, and that invading army lay
drowsily in its cosy encampments, as if supremely confi-
dent no harm were threatening and no disaster could
befall it. Many as yet were in their blankets, fast
asleep, many others washing and dressing, others cook-
ing their morning meal, while the arms and accoutre-
ments of all were spread around in the orderless fashion
of holiday soldiers.
Meanwhile, swiftly forward through the woods strode
'Statham's Brigade, to which McNairy's Battery formerly belonged, was-
in this reserve.
R. R. H.
April, 1862.

147
the Confederates. With an elastic tread they surged
onward and forward until, the mist gradually lifting, the
white tents might be seen through the trees.
On poured the living current of the Confederates.
By an anomalous arrangement Hildebrand's Brigade of
Sherman's Division was on the left of Prentiss' Di-
vision*. Sherman, with his other three brigades, was on
the riofht.
By a mischance the Confederates' left had not been
thrown sufficiently near to Owl Creek, so when the col-
lision came it was only with the left (Hildebrand's) bri-
gade
;
but it soon fell with overwhelming force upon
Prentiss from flank to flank. Their sentinels, taken by
surprise, were run in with barely time to discharge their
pieces. Just
at their heels came the Confederates,,
cheering heartily ; and so complete a surprise of an
army has not the like in history. Officers and men
were killed or wounded in their beds, and larp-e num-
bers had not time to clutch up either arms or accoutre-
ments. Nevertheless, few prisoners were taken, nor
were many either killed or wounded in the first stage of
the battle. Hildebrand's Brigade of Ohioans, swept
by the violence of the onslaught from their encamp-
ment, scattered and was heard of no more as a bellig-
erent organization on that field! Prentiss' Division,
rallying, was formed in good time on a neighboring
ridge, but, little able to stand the torrent that streamed
after it, was swept further back. Meanwhile Sherman's
rightward brigades, which had escaped collision with
Hardee, he had time to form, and with them right man-
fully did he strive to make head against Ruggles' Di-
vision of Bragg's Corps, that by this time had come
upon the scene and bore down vehemently upon them.
148

R. R. Ha.voock's Diary.
The position held by Sherman was one of natural
strength ; with a small watercourse in front, it aftbrded
a converging fire upon the Confederates. Such, how-
ever, was the vigor of the assault that Sherman, with
the loss of five or six guns, was forced back just as Mc-
Clernand came to his support. They were both then
swept rearward near the line of the cross-road from
Hamburg to Purdy. There Sherman, with McClernand,
gained a foothold, and, with several batteries favorably
posted, made another stand on a thickly-wooded ridge
with a ravine in front. But, speedily assailed by Rug-
gles' and some of Polk's Brigades with a fury not to be
withstood, the Federal line again yielded, losing several
pieces of artillery and receding to the position of Mc-
Clernand's encampment.
About forty minutes past seven a. m., hearing the up-
roar in front, Hurlbut also sent Yeach's Brigrade of his
division to support Sherman, and with his other two
brigades moved swiftly to the succor of Prentiss', who
had called for aid. After Prentiss' Division had fil-
tered through his lines he formed in the edge of an old
field, sheltered by timber and thick undergrowth, near
the Hamburg road, south (to the left) of the position
taken by Sherman and McClernand. There Hurlbut
also was speedily assailed by the Confederates, now re-
enforced in that quarter by Chalmers' and Jackson's
brigades of Bragg's Corps, and was soon swept back,
with the loss of some artillery. Thus the whole front
line of Federal encampments was left in the hands of
the adversary, filled with equipage and baggage, the
most abundant and luxurious that encumbered any ex-
cept an oriental army.
Meanwhile Sherman was making able, desperate
April, 1862.
149
efforts to redeem the losses of the niorning. However,
the Confederates, now re-enforced in that quarter by
Cheatham's and Clark's Divisions, Polk's Corps, still
drove their anemy nearer the river.
W. H. L. Wâllace had also been attacked, and the
Federal line of battle was pushed back to within a mile
of the Landing. There were massed what remained of
their artillery and the fragments of their five divisions.
General Johnston, the Confederate Commander-in-
Chief, was now in the very front of the battle. Assured
of a great victory after the marvelous success of his
planned surprise, he now stimulated the onslaught by
his personal presence on the right, where the press was
fiercest, the resistance the most effective. More than
once brigades that faltered under the inspiration of his
leading bore back the enemy and wrested the position
fought for. As far as can be ascertained, General Grant
was not upon the immediate field earlier than midday.
On Saturday afternoon he had gone to Savannah and
slept there. The sound of many cannon at Shiloh was
his first tidings of a hostile juncture at Pittsburg Land-
ing. As he was leaving Savannah he ordered Nel-
son's Division of Buell's Corps, that la)- at that place,
to march to Pittsburg by the nearest road. When he
reached Pittsburg it was to find his whole front line sur-
prised, overwhelmed, routed, and the ravines and river
bank adjacent packed with thousands of crouching fugi-
tives. These could not be rallied nor incited to return
to the field to aid in recovering the fortunes of the day.
There was abundant intrepidity in leading every-
where, but, unfortunately for the Confederate cause, too
little knowledge of the right way to handle regiments,,
brigades, divisions, even corps, to secure that massing
150 R. R. Hancock's Dlart.
of troops, those
mighty blows which achieve decisive
victories. Though, indeed, there were far to many strag-
'
glers who ignobly shrank from the victorious edge of
battle, many going back to Corinth that night, yet
everywhere there was the largest measure of sturdy
fighting by regiments, brigades, and parts of divisions.
For the most part, confident of the issue and bent on
pressing toward the enemy, there was yet a lack of har-
monious movement. Superior officers led with notable
courage regiments or parts of brigades, and doubtless
stimulated their men not a little by their example, but
at the same time lost sight ot the mass of their com-
mands, which were thus not unfrequently left at a halt
without orders and uncertain what to do. And this was
the case with batteries also, which, moreover, were
too often employed smgly. There was no concerted
concentration of these triumphant corps respectively,
much less of the whole mass, for a well-timed, over-
whelming blow at the now sorely crippled, dispirited
enemy. And as a consequence, with Sherman among
them doing all possible in the exigency, the Federals
were enabled to protract their defense against the des-
ultory onset with which they were assailed for the next
hour or two.
Meanwhile, to the riehtward the Confederate General-
in-Chief, taking part at a critical juncture in the charge
of a brigade, and by his intrepid presence giving a re-
sistless momentum to the onset, received a rifle wound
in the lega mortal wound, as it proved presently, tor
the want of timely surgical aid. The Governor ot Ten-
nessee (I. G. Harris), by his side when struck, caught
the soldier in his arms as he fell from his saddle, ex-
hausted by an apparently painless loss of blood. A
April, 18G2. 151
moment after his aid-de-camp and brother-in-law, Colo-
nel William Preston, of Kentucky, came up, and A, S.
Johnston, with scarce a murmur, died in his arms. The
scene of his untoward death was a wooded, secluded
hollow, and the loss of their chief was not known to the
Confederate arm)' until that night, nor even generally
then.
About the time of this calamity the reserves under
Breckinridge were thrown vigorously into action. He
was ordered to the support of Bragg, who had called
for aid. In front was to be seen a camp without an in-
mate. This camp was in an open woods and just ahead
was an open field bordered by a dense thicket.
Through the camp passed Breckinridge's Brigade and
into the open field, and still there was silence
; but not
long, for a few steps beyond a hissing stream and fiame
of musketry burst at their breasts, mowing their ranks
fearfully and heaping the ground with dead and wound-
ed. They gave back to the woods, but only for a little
while did the)- recede. Closing their thinned ranks, and
animated by their officers, they retook the advance, and
their adversaries were forced back, yet with not a little
stubbornness and desperate fighting on favorable
ground. By this time Withers' Division, of Bragg's
Corps, as well as Breckinridge's reserves, mingled with
portions of Hardee's men, were all massed on the Con-
federate right in the quarter of Lick Creek. General
Bragg, assuming command of the whole, launched them
with a resistless weight at the enemy, who now gave
way, and on all sides were forced from the line of Wal-
lace's and Hurlbut's encampments, leaving behind more
of their artillery and three thousand prisoners, chiefly
of Prentiss' Division, in the hands of their assailants.
At the same time, on the center and left, Polk's Divi-
sions, with Ruggles' Division of Bragg's Corps, and
some of Hardee's also, made no less strenuous efforts
to close the battle. Those of the routed Federals who
were not killed or captured dropped back in great con-
fusion toward the Landing. Some were rallied upon
the ridge immediately overhanging the Landing, but
large masses were added to the already dense mob of
fucjitives huddled below the bank.
But meanwhile Colonel Webster, chief of the Federal
staff, an officer of the regulars who knew his profession,
observing the mortal peril of his people, had gathered
upon that ridge all the guns available, including some
thirty-two pounders and a battery of twenty-pounder
Parrotts, or in all, twenty-two pieces, which he manned
with gunners from the least demoralized of the run-a-
ways. Soon, too, the remains of the field batteries
were added, and some fifty guns were massed upon this
eminence about five p. m., with a field of fire sweeping
all the approaches to the river. The position was
strong; timber and undergrowth gave shelter for the
artillery and their support, while a deep ravine separated
it from the table-land over which it dominated
;
tangled
brushwood obstructed its steep slopes, and on or behind
this position, as we have said, took final refuge the en-
tire Federal force except the remains of one of Sher-.
man's brigades, which appear to have drifted off with
their General to the vicinity of the bridge across Snake
Creek, on the road to Crump's Landing, and not being
followed, he established them there undisturbed, with
the rear open for retreat in an emergency, northward.
The air now resounded with hearty shouts of natural
exultation on part of the victorious Confederates.
April, 1862. 153-
General Beauregard, throug-h his staff, urged the
forward propulsion of the whole force upon the shat-
tered fragments of the enemy. Unfortunately, however,
from various causes, none of the divisions confronted in
an embodied form the last position that remained be-
tween them and the deep, broad waters of the Tennes-
see. The superior officers present, howbeit, collected
the men immediately around them, of whatever corps.
Tired, hungry, and exhausted as were the Confederates,
nevertheless a number of determined separate efforts
were made by them during the remaining hour of day-
light to wrench the last foothold from their elsewhere
beaten adversary. But meanwhile, at five p. m., Am-
men's Brigade of Nelson's Division had been thrown
across the river and established by Buell as a support
of Webster's powerful battery, and the Federals, like a
rat brought to bay in a corner from which there is no
escape, fought with all the desperation of that animal
under similar circumstances, knowing, moreover, that
night, with its shield of darkness, and ample succor were
close at hand.
But in attempting to mount the last ridge, the Con-
federates were met by a fire from a whole line of bat-
teries, protected by infantry, and assisted by shells from
the gun
-
boats. They, however, stoutly persisted in
storming the steep hillside despite the impediments
with which it bristled, and made charge after charge
without success until night closed hostilities.
General Beauregard, in the meantime, observing the
exhausted, widely-scattered condition of his army, di-
rected it to be brouoht out of battle, collected and re-
stored to order as far as practicable, and to occupy for
the night the captured encampments of the enemy.
All the encampments that had been occupied by the
five Federal divisions were now in possession of their
adversary. They were full of the rich, opportune spoils
of war, including many thousand stands of arms, all the
blankets and baggage of the whole force, their subsist-
ence, their hospital stores, means of transportation to a
great extent, and large stores of ammunition. But so
great was the lassitude and fatigue of the Confederates
that all which could be done was to glean food sufficient
for their supper, for which, indeed, all were dependent
upon what they could thus find.
The prisoners, however, were collected together dur-
ing the night not far from Shiloh Church, where Gener-
als Beauregard and Bragg established their headquar-
ters. There, after a time, the former had an interview
with his corps commanders and received brief oral re-
ports of the operations of the day.
Among the prisoners was General Prentiss himself,
who had much to say touching the ultimate issue of the
affair, which he asserted was by no means terminated
with the disaster of that untoward day; for Buell, he
stated, would effect a junction that night, the fight
would break out the next morning with renewed vigor,
and all losses would be recovered. At the moment,
however, this was regarded as idle talk, for an official
telegraphic dispatch, addressed to General Johnston
from near Florence, was forwarded to the field from
Corinth, announcing that Buell was moving with his
whole force upon Florence. Emanating from a reliable
officer placed there in observation, whose scouts had
doubtless mistaken the movement of Mitchell's Division
for the whole of Buell's army, it was credited, and Buell's
timely junction with General Grant was accordingly
April, 18(32.
155
deemed impossible. Therefore the capture of the latter
was regarded at Confederate headquarters as inevitable
the next day, as soon as all the scattered Confederate
resources could be brought to bear for a concentrated
effort. Such of the Confederate soldiery as could find
shelter from a heavy rain slept undisturbed and hopeful
of the fullest fruition of a great victor)' on the morrow.
II.
After first finding food and forage for his men and
horses, Colonel Forrest threw out a squadron as pickets,
confronting, as close as possible, those of the enemy,
on a stretch of a mile across to Owl Creek. He also
dispatched Lieutenant Sheridan with other scouts clad
in Federal cavalry overcoats, to reconnoiter within the
precincts of the enemy's lines. Completely successful,
in an hour Sheridan returned and reported that, reaching
the Landing, he had seen heavy reinforcements coming
rapidly by water. Also, in his opinion, such was the
disorder prevailing that if an attack were made in full
force at once, they might be readily pushed into the
river. Forrest, ever a man of prompt action, mounted
his horse instantly to convey this startling intelligence
to the nearest corps commander, and soon coming upon
Generals Hardee and Breckinridge, made known what
his scouts announced. He also bluntly added his opin-
ion that either the Confederates should immediately re-
sume the battle or quit the field to avoid a damaging
conflict with overwhelming odds. Hardee directed him
to communicate his information to General Beauregard,
and with that object he rode forth again ; but after a dili-
gent search through the woods and darkness, unable to
find that General, he became so deeply solicitous that
he hurried back to his pickets. Finding all quiet he
156 R. R. Hancock's Dtary.
again dispatched his scouts within the Federal Hnes. It
was two o'clock a. m. before they returned and reported
the continued arrival of fresh troops. Again Forrest
repaired and reported to General Hardee the state of
affairs, but was instructed to return to his regiment,
keep up a vigilant, strong picket line, and report all
hostile movements. All the while, every few minutes
through the night, two gun-boats had been sedulously
throwing their dread "bolted thunder
"
directly over For-
rest's bivouac, murdering sleep, weary and drowsy as
all his men were.
III.
By seven p. m. Nelson's other two brigades (Bruce's
and Hazen's) had crossed the Tennessee, and, with the
one (Ammen's) that so materially helped, with Web-
ster's opportunely posted battery, to save the Federal
army from utter overthrow, were at once thrown forward
by General Buell as a shield between General Grant's
army and the Confederates. Crittenden's Division like-
wise came up from Savannah by water not long after,
and was promptly established in the same manner on
Nelson's rio-ht. Moreover, Lew Wallace, one of Grant's
divisions that was not in the first day's battle, came up
by land from near Crump's Landing, crossed Snake
Creek, and took a position there commanding the
bridge, and by chance, too, in the neighborhood of
Sherman. One of McCook's Brigades (Rousseau's)
also reached the scene about sunrise and took a posi-
tion on Crittenden's right. His other two brigades
(Johnson's and Kirk's) took position about ten a. m.
Thus were marshaled there or near at hand, ready to
take the offensive against the victors of the day before,
twenty-five thousand fresh Federal troops. On the
April, 1802. 157
Confederate side, to meet such an onset, there was not
a man who had not fought steadfastly for the greater
part of Sunday, and not more than twenty thousand
Confederate infantry could have been found to answer
to their names that morning, the 7th.
In haste to efface the tarnish of the arrant disaster in-
flicted on his army on Sunday, General Grant did not
await the advent of Buell's other divisions, but directed
the offensive to be assumed at dawn. His shattered
forces on Sunday night had been reorganized into three
divisions under Sherman, McClernand and Hurlbut.
To recapitulate: Six Federal divisionsNelson's,
Crittenden's, McClernand's, McCook's,* Sherman's and
Lew Wallace'swere in position in the order named,
and ready to take the offensive Monday morning, with
Hurlbut's Division held back near the river as a reserve.
Hurlbut, bringing up his reserves about ten o'clock and
fusing them with McClernand's command, repaired rear-
ward again, at McClernand's request, to seek further
support.
Chalmers' Brigade, with a part of
J.
K. Jackson's,
imder Wheeler, in advance, in front of Nelson, were the
first to become engaged. Nelson came out with vigor,
and the Confederates retired slowly to concentrate their
strength. By eight o'clock, Hardee, however, had
massed in that quarter a number of his own corps, as
well as Withers' Division of Bragg's, and the combat
began in earnest. Nelson now found a lion in his path,
but Hazen's Brigade pushed forward with decided
pluck, and the Confederates were driven from their po-
sition with the loss ot a battery. A well-timed concen-
Two of McCook's brigade?, as before stated, did not take position until
about ten a. m.
tration, however, enabled the Confederates to hur!
Hazen back from his prey, and in turn pressed Nelson
so sorely that by nine a. m. he was calling lustily for aid.
Nelson was reinforced by Terrell's j!;attery (regulars),
and a portion of Crittenden's Division, and an obstinate
struggle for the mastery of this part of the field raged
until about one p. m. But neither party gained any ma-
terial advantage, except Terrell's Battery was so cut up
that he had to assist as a gunner at one of his pieces,
and the battery narrowly escaped capture.
Crittenden by this time was likewise hotly engaged
in the immediate center. The Confederates on his
front, at first retiring to concentrate at his advance,
finally rebounded, and he and Nelson were borne back
by the same refluent wave. Polk's corps coming up
from the rear, on the Confederate side, entered the bat-
tle in splendid order and spirit.
By the time Nelson was well at work on the Federal
left, the Confederates opened a light fire upon Wallace
and Sherman, who, encouraged by its feebleness, ad-
ventured the offensive. But their speedy greeting was
a sheet of flame, lead and canister from the woods in
their front, where portions of Ruggles' and Breckin-
ridge's Divisions stood in wait. The Federals reeled
and rushed rearward, followed nearly a mile by the Con-
federates
;
but here, reinforced by McCook, Sherman
attempted to resume the advance. Now, the fight
waxed obstinate, and the firing, says Sherman, was the
"severest musketry" he had ever heard. Rousseau's
Federal Brigade was pitted against Trabue's Kentuck-
ians. .Both fought with uncommon determination to
win, but the Federals were repulsed, and Wallace was
so pressed that his situation became extremely critical.
April, 1862. 159-
As the Confederates in that part of the field were con-
fronted by more than double their number, the impetus
of their attack was, therefore, slackened in the face of
such odds. Yet several brilliant charges were made, in
one of which, to the left of Shiloh, General Beauregard
himself led in person, carrying the battle flag of a Louis-
iana regiment ; and Trabue's Brigade, having carried
earlier an eminence near Owl Creek, repulsing every
effort to dislodge him, held his position until the retreat
was ordered. Here, as on the right, the Confeclerate
troops were animated by the greatest intrepidity on the
part of their superior officers.
It was now after one o'clock. The battle had raged
furiously from right to left for more than five hours, and,
notwithstanding the odds of fresh troops brought up
against them, despite their long-continued engagement,
the Confederates had not receded from the ground upon
which they had been concentrated as soon as it was ap-
parent that the battle was on their hands. Beginning
the combat with not more than twenty thousand men,
exclusive of cavalry, less than fifteen thousand were
now in the Confederate ranks. General Beauregard,
seeing the unprofitable nature of the struggle, deter-
mined not to prolong it. Directing his Adjutant-Gen-
eral to select a position, and post such troops as were
available to cover the retreat, he dispatched other staff
officers to the corps commanders, with the order to re-
tire simultaneously from their several positions, ready,
however, to turn and fight should it become necessary..
And, accordingly, about two o'clock the retrograde
movement was inaugurated, and carried out with a
steadiness never exceeded by veterans of a hundred
fields. The retreat had now commenced in earnest, but
so stunned and crippled was the enemy that no eftbrt
or pretense to pursue was made. The hne estabhshed
to cover the movement commanded the ground of Shiloh
Church and some open fields in the neighborhood.
Thence, keeping up a vigorous play of artillery on the
woods beyond, there was no reply, nor did any enemy
become visible. The next line, three-fourths of a mile
to the rear, was abandoned, with no enemy in sight.
Breckinridge, assigned to the duty of covering the re-
treat with his division, was ordered to bivouac for the
night at a point not more than four and a half miles from
Pittsburg Landing. The other corps were now en
route for Corinth by a road which, that night, was made
almost impracticable for wheels by a heavy rainfall.
On Tuesday morning, General Breckinridge fell back
to a position only three miles beyond, and there re-
mained undisturbed for some days, with the cavalry
thrown forward in close proximity to the Federal lines.
After Breckinridge had thus withdrawn, Colonel For-
rest found himself with about three hundred and
fifty troops on Tuesday morning (the 8th), on the
road toward Monterey, in the presence of a heavy
Federal infantry force, advancing in three lines of battle.
The
position, a ridge, was advantageous, and Forrest
determined to attempt to hold it until re-enforcements
could be brought up. Formed in line of battle, the
Confederates boldly stood their ground as about two
battalions of cavalry and a regiment of infantry were
thrown forward to assail them. The infantry advanced
handsomely at a charge, with their bayonets presented.
There was some confusion, however, in the Federal
ranks in crossing a small stream, and Forrest, with his
characteristic quickness of sight and plans, his wonted
April, 1862. 161
hardihood, resolved to charge the Federals with his
force, as small as it was. His buorler
sounded the
o
charp-e, and forward dashed the Confederates from their
covert behind the crest of the ridge in superb order and
spirit, and were almost upon the enemy before the
nature of the movement was perceived or they had had
time to prepare for it. At twenty paces the Confeder-
ates gave a volley with their shot-gunsa formidable
weapon at that short distance
ând rushed in with pis-

tols and sabers. So sudden was the onset that, despite
their numbers, the Federal cavalry broke in disorder
and tied back through the woods, running- over their
own infantry in their panic, creating a scene of singular
confusion and tumult for some moments. Many of the
infantry were thus knocked down; many horses also
were transfixed by the bayonets of their own infantry.
Scores of other horses fell and threw their riders,
-sprawling and bruised, upon the ground, and all around
was a medley of cavalry and infantry, scattering and
running to and fro, hither and thither, officers shouting
and cursing and the hurt groaning. The flying infantry
were closely pursued for several hundred yards by their
eager, excited enemy. The loss inflicted was heavy,
while seventy were captured.
In the ardency and exultation of the pursuit Forrest
pressed on until he found himself alone within fifty
yards of the main body of the Federal expeditionary
force, and beyond, indeed, a large part of those whom
he had just surprised and routed. Halting, he saw at
a glance that his men, perceiving sooner the situation,
had very properly halted, and were then falling back
with their prisonerswhich they were doing, however,
unaware of the perilous position of their leader. Im-
11
mediatc'ly observed by the enemy, now all around him,
Forrest was fired at from all sides. One ball from an
Austrian rifle, striking him on the right; side, just above
the point of the hip-bone, penetrated to the spine, and,
ranoino- around, lodged in the left sidea severe if not,
indeed, mortal Vv'ound, as his surgeon apprehended.
His right leg, benumbed by the blow, was also left
hanging useless in the stirrup. Turning his horse,
however, he resolved to escape, surrounded as he was
by
hundreds bent on his death, and shouting, "Kill
him!"
"Shoot him!" "Stick him!" "Knock him off
his horse!" all of which they literally sought to do. His
horse, too, was wounded (mortally, as it proved)
;
but
still bore up under his daring rider as he dashed out of
the throng of assailants, using his revolver with deadly
aim to clear his path. In a moment more his path to the
rear, at least, was clear of foes, but their marksmen, still
within easy range, sent hundreds of balls after him as he
galloped down the road and over the hill. Happily, he
escaped without further hurt, and rejoined his command,
halted behind the ridge. Giving orders to the officer
next in rank to assume command, but to avoid further
action with so large a force, Forrest went to Corinth that
night, when the horse, which had borne him so stoutly
and faithfully, dropped and died a few hours later. On
the next day Colonel Forrest, furloughed for sixty days,
repaired to Memphis.
The losses of the Confederates in the two days' com-
bats are accurately and ofiicially stated by General
Beauregard at 1,728
killed, 8,012 wounded,
959
miss-
ing, or an aggregate of
10,699.
The Federal com-
mander, in his brief report of the battle, estimates his
own losses at only 1,500
killed and
3,500
wounded, an
ApiiiL, 1862.
163
evidently larg-e understatement, lor in the official reports
ot three of his division generals we find their losses
loot up in killed and wounded as high as
4,614, with
1,832
reported missing, a number of whom must have
been killed, as only
3,000 were captured, and most of
them were Prentiss' Division. Furthermore,
Swinton,
who always writes in a fair spirit, estimates the Federal
loss at 15,000. Of trophies the Confederates carried
from the field some twenty-six stands of flags and col-
ors, and about thirty of the guns captured on the 6th.
The guns which figure in Federal subordinate
reports
as captured from the Confederates, with few exceptions,
were those lost on Sunday by the Federals, which, for
want of horses to draw them from the field, had been
left by the Confederates where they had been taken.
COMMENTARIES.
The true reason why the battle of Sunday fell short
ot the most complete victory of modern war by the
capture of the whole Federal army is simply this : First,
General Johnston, not knowing the actual position oc-
cupied by the Federal front line, failed to extend his line
of battle sufficiently near Owl Creek to force the Fed-
eral right (Sherman) back north-easterly into the ciil de
sac made above Pittsburg Landing by the junction of
Lick Creek with the Tennessee River. As the attack
was made, the shock of the onset only affected Sher-
man's left brigade (Hildebrand's). Had it fallen with
full force upon his entire division, it is manifest that that
which happened to Hildebrand's Brigade would
have
befallen it. The entire division must have been swept
away as that brigade was, and been driven rearward
so
rapidly upon McClernand's, Hurlbut's, and
Wallace's
(W. H. L.) as to give them little or no time to
form
their divisions, and make the stand which Sherman's ob-
stinate resistance with two brigades near Shiloh enabled
them to do.
Second, after the combat was at its height, those su-
perior officers who should have been occupied \yith the
concentration and continuous projection of their troops
in heavy masses upon the shattered Federal divisions,
were at the very front and "perilous edge" of the bat-
tle, leading forward regiments, perchance brigades, into
action with great individual intrepidity, and doing a
great deal, no doubt, by their personal example to impel
small bodies forward. But meanwhile, to their rear were
left the masses of their respective commands without
direction, and thus precious time was lost. The Con-
federates were not kept continuously massed and em-
ployed, either corps or divisions
;
mere piecemeal onsets
were the general method of fighting after twelve o'clock,
with this consequence : Sherman was enabled to make
several obstinate, powerful stands, by which he protracted
the battle some hours. Had the corps been held well
in hand, massed and pressed continuously upon the tot-
tering, demoralized foe, the battle assuredly would have
closed at least by midday.
As our battalion was on outpost duty, on the extreme
right of Johnston's army (as my diary has shown), it
was not in the Shiloh battle. While we were sitting
quietly in camp on Sunday, listening to a sermon from
our chaplain, we could hear the booming of* artillery at
Shiloh.
Wednesday, gth.A gun-boat passed up by East-
port, going perhaps one mile and a half above, then
turning, went back down the river without firing a gun.
I, with some others, being on picket at Eastport, con-
Apkil, 1862. 165
cealed ourselves on a hill near by and watched the ma-
neuvers of the boat. We had a good view of the
river.
Siaiday, 13th. Two gun-boats and two transports
came up to Chickasaw and landed about one hundred and
twenty cavalry and three regiments of infantry about day-
light.* Our picket fell back in advance of the Federals
to Bear Creek. After crossing the bridge they (the
picket) set fire to it. The Federals continued their
movement along the east side of Bear Creek in the di-
rection of the railroad bridge that spans said creek
about eight miles from Chickasaw. Having no artillery
and only about two hundred cavalry at luka, we were
poorly prepared to protect said bridge while a force
so much superior to ours was now apparently bent on
its destruction. However, about one hundred of our
battalion and a part of Captain Sanders' Company
mounted and moved out to the bridge to see what was
up. A few moments after we arrived at the bridge the
enemy came in sight on the opposite side of the creek,
and firingr commenced. We soon found that the
enemy had another advantage of us in having long-
range guns. A few of our men who happened to have
long-range guns returned the fire. Considering it use-
less for us to make further effort to protect the bridge
with such odds agrainst us, we were ordered to fall back.
The Federals, after burning the bridge and cutting the
telegraph wire, went back to Chickasaw, reboarded
their boats and moved back toward Pittsburg Landing
that night. No one of our battalion was killed, but
three were wounded. One of them, George Daven-
port, was from Captain Allison's Company. And, by
'General \V. T. Sherman \vas in ccmmand of this expedilion.
the way. he was the first man of said company that had
been wounded. George C. Moore, First Sergeant of
Sanders' Company, was wounded. We were reinforced
about midnight by cavalry, infantry and artillery, but it
was too late to save the bridgre.
Wednesday, i6tJi. Our battalion moved about nine
miles west and went into camps one-half mile south-west
of Burnsville, still in Tishamingo County, on the Mem-
phis and Charleston Railroad, x^ll the troops, except
a few cavalry, lett luka.
Saturday, 79///.Forage by this time was very scarce,
so much so that our quartermaster was not able to fur-
nish half rations for our horses. By going to the coun-
try I had the good luck to find and purchase one bushel
of corn for \\\\ horse. Such trips were now daily made
by others.
Wednesday, 2jd.Six of Captain xîlison's Company
(J.
W. Kennedy, H. L. \V. Turney,
Jim
Thomas, W. E.
Rich, Tom O'Conner and B. A. Flancock), whom we
had left at home in Middle Tennessee, had made tlieir
way out through the Federal lines, and after about thir-
teen days' travel rejoined their company at Burnsville
on the above date.
We were still picketing the various roads leading out
from Burnsville.
Saturday, 26th.Captain Harris and a part of his
company were detached from our battalion and started
to Tennessee with
John
Morgan's Squadron for the
purpose of watching the movements ot the Federals
there and reporting back.
Monday, 28th. It was reported that the Federals
were at Sulphur Springs, some twelve or hlteen miles
May, 1802. 167
from Burnsville. The picket on that road was re-
enforced about midnight.
Ttiesday, zgtJi. McNairy sent a scout out in the
direction of Sulphur Springs. On returning they re-
ported no Federals there.
Sahirday, May jd.It was reported in camps about
sundown that the Federals were tearing up the railroad
about five miles west of Burnsville. h squad of us
mounted and rode out in that direction far enough to
learn that the Federals were surely there. As Vv-e did
not wish to attack about eleven hundred in the dark, we
went back to camps. We then moved our camps about
two miles from Burnsville, on the Jacinto road, where
we remained the rest of the night.
Sunday, ^tJi. The battalion went back to the rail-
road, and after learning that the Federals had gone
back and were encamped about six miles north of the
railroad, we turned south, going through
Jacinto, the
county seat of Tishamingo, and went into camps two
miles from town, in an old sage field. Jacinto is nine
miles from Burnsville.
Monday, ^tJi. After cooking three days' rations, we
struck tents and loaded our wagons. The wagons Vv-ere
sent to Booneville. twelve miles from Jacinto, on the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad. McNairy moved his men
back to Jacinto, and quartered them in the various un-
occupied houses. Allison's Company had splendid
quartersin the court-house. Two scouts were sent
out, one to Burnsville, the other to Glendale, six miles
west of the former place, on the Memphis and Charles-
ton Railroad. Found no Federals. We remained at
Jacinto for some days, scouting and picketing.
Monday, i2fJi. There vvas a
orreat deal of talk and
168 K. K. Haxcock's Diaky.
excitement in the battalion about reorganizing for three
years, or during the war, under a new law that the Con-
federate Congress had lately passed, known as the
"conscript law." The expiration of our enlistment^
twelve months, was now near at hand, and the question
was. Shall we re-enlist or quit and go home?
As our company had a number of acquaintances in
Colonel E. S. Smith's Regiment of cavalry, which was.
then thought to be in Tennessee, north of the Tennes-
see River, not far from Chattanooga, and as we were
wanting to get back nearer home. Captain Allison sent
M. W. McKnight and B. A. Hancock to Corinth to take
a petition to General Beal. In said petition we request-
ed the transfer of our company to the above named reg-
iment. General Beal seemed to be favorable to our pe-
tition, but said that he would have to wait until he could,
find out the condition of Smith's Regiment before he
could grant our request. In the meantime, however,,
we learned that Smith's Regiment was
"
bursted up," so
that was the end of our petition.
Wednesday, i^tJi.McNairy's Battalion re-enlisted
"for three years or during the war," and reorganized.
Companies A and B were consolidated, also Companies-
C and D. Therefore x^llison's Company, not being
consolidated with any other, became Company C in
place of E. So our battalion was thus reduced to three
companies.
As the commissioned officers (T. M. x\lIIson, Captain;
N. W. Summer, First Lieutenant ; George Alexander
and M. V. Wilson. Second Lieutenants) of our company
resicfned and went home, we elected a new set of of-
ficers. The election resulted as follows:
Moses \V, McKnight, Captain
;
H. L. \V. Turney,.
Captain M. W. McKNIGHT, Co. C.
May, 18()2. 109
First Lieutenant; Sam Dennis and Dr.
J.
S. Harrison,
Second Lieutenants.
The election of non-commissioned officers of Com-
pany C was postponed.
Company A elected George H, Morton, Captain; N,
Oswell, First Lieutenant; T. C, Atkinson, Second
Lieutenant, aud Anderson H. French, Third Lieuten-
ant.
Company B elected William Parrish, Captain ; T. B.
Underwood, First Lieutenant; G. W. Smithson, Second
Lieutenant, and S. B. Wall, Third Lieutenant.
Lieutenant-Colonel F. N. McNairy resigned, and a
few days after, bidding us farewell, returned to Tennes-
see and was killed at Dover, Tennessee, in January,
1863,
being temporarily on General Forrest's staff at
that time.
General Beal sent Colonel Bradfute to take charge of
the three companies to which our battalion was now re-
duced, from the reorganization at Jacinto to the time of
consolidation with the Seventh Battalion, at Fulton,
June
1 2th.
As the Second Tennessee Cavalry, of which the First
Battalion formed a part, surrendered May loth,
1865,
we liked only four days serving out the term of our re-
enlistmentthree years.
Friday, i6th. Eight of Company C were stopping
with relatives and friends in Franklin County, Alabama,
about sixty miles east of Jacinto.
The writer, having
been detailed to go after them, set out from Jacinto*
for
that purpose about noon.
"Tishamingo is now divided into thiee countiesAlcorn, with Corinth as
county seat; Prentiss, with Bocneville as county seat; while the eastern portion
retains the old name, with luka as county seat. Jacinto is in the south-east
corner of Alcorn Countv.
170 R. Ft. Hancock's Diary.
Sahirday, lyth.Passing on through F"rankfort and
Russellville, Alabama, and notifying the boys to be
ready to start to camps next morning. I stopped for
the night with my vmcle, Ben Hancock, who Hved four
miles north of Russellville. Starting back the i8th, we
rejoined our company the 19th at Jacinto.
Ttcesday, 20th. We learned after dark that the Fed-
erals were at Burnsville. So McKnight's Company was
sent out to re-enforce the picket on the Burnsville road.
The company lay in ambush all night a few hundred
yards behind the picket.* The rest of the battalion were
sent out on other roads leadinp- out in the direction of
Burnsville and Glendale. But no enemy made their ap-
pearance.
Wednesday, 21st.A scout went out to Burnsville and
learned that one hundred and five Federal cavalry had
been there the evening before. So all except the pick-
ets went back to camps.
Colonel McCulloch's Battalion and ours were all the
troops stationed near lacinto.
'Thursday, 22d.The Federals were reported to be
three miles south of Glendale, and advancing on us. So
McCulloch's Battalion and ours mounted and moved out
in that direction. Finding the report to be false, we re-
turned to camp.
Friday, 2jd.Captain McKnight, I, and ten others,
went out to Burnsville on a scout. We met, about two
and a hall miles from Burnsville, two of Beauregard's
How vivid "to my memory still" is that night! The pickets were sta-
tiouetl thus: 15. A. Hancock, in front; W. W. Hawkins, a few paces to the
rear; while I was a few paces to the rear of Hawkins. We expected to be re-
lieved, as the custom was, in two hours. Rut we were very much disappointed
and somewhat chagrined at having to sit there on our liorses all that hug iiight.
Do not remember of doing the like any more during the war.
Sergeant
J.
C. McADOO.
May, 1802. 171
scouts. They told Captain McKnight that they had
seen, early that morning, about five hundred Federal
cavalry eight miles beyond Burnsvllle. After starting a
dispatch back to Colonel McKairy, we went on to Burns-
ville. We had been there only a short time when the
enemy came in sight. Their advance guard, about fifty,
made a dash at us as though they were bent on our
capture. They followed us about two and a half miles
almost at full speed. As we were well mounted we all
made our escape. They fired a few shots at us, but we
escaped without injury. I do not now remember of be-
inor
in another such race
durinor the war. About two
miles further we found our battalion in ambush. In a
short time McCulloch's Battalion, with one six-pounder,
came up. Expecting the Federals were advancing, and
finding a favorable position within about three miles of
Burnsville, McCulloch's Battalion and a part of ours
were deployed in battle line, while the other portion of
our battalion (with McKnight's Company in front)
moved on to meet the enemy. Going about one mile
further, we halted and formed in ambush, while a small
squad went on in search of the enemy. Going on to
Burnsville, and finding the enemy had fallen back, we
all returned to Jacinto a little before dark.
Saturday, 24th. The non-commissioned officers of
our company were elected. The election resulted as
follows :
John D. McLin, First Sergeant; A. B. McKnight,
Second; R. R. Hancock, Third; and
J.
C. McAdoo,
Fourth. (About one year afterward Sam Walker was
made First Sergeant.) W\ W. Harrison, X. A. Baxter,
W. W. Hawkins and C. Dougherty were. I think, the
corporals.
Sunday, 2^tk.
McKnight's Company went on a scout

up the Tuscumbia road, but brought back no news of
interest.
JVednesday, zStJi. About noon McCulloch's Battal-
ion moved out toward Burnsville, and just before sun-
down ours followed. We found McCulloch within two
miles of Burnsville. The Federals had been in town,
but had fallen back. We dismounted, hitched our
horses, and remained there all nio-ht.
TJiursday, 2gth.After returning to Jacinto and cook-
ing three days' rations, our battalion moved down to
within one mile of Booneville, where our wagons had
been stationed since we took quarters in the vacant
houses of Jacinto, May 5th. We heard that the Fed-
erals were marching down east of Jacinto, in the direc-
tion of Booneville, but we thought that that must be a
false report. Corinth was evacuated that night.
Friday, joth.Between daylight and sunup about
twelve hundred Federal cavalry surrounded Booneville, a
small village station on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
There was one train of cars there and about five or six
hundred Confederates, including the sick and their nurses,
but there was no armed force there to defend the place.
So the Federals had quietly taken possession of the
place, set fire to the depot and train of cars, and had
collected all the Confederates that were able to travel,,
and perhaps a number that were not really able, and
formed them in line ready to march off, when about
eighty of our battalion came upon the scene. Small as
our squad was, we made a daring charge and released
the prisoners. How they (the prisoners) did come yell-
ing towards us ! We then dropped back into the woods
Mat, 18G2. 173
near by, and after a little skirmishing, the Federals with-
drew in time for us to save two boxes of cars and also
the engine. The train was loaded with arms and am-
munition. Our loss was one killed (Culwell), three
wounded, and it was said that the Federals carried off
two prisoners, though the prisoners were not from our
battalion. The Federal loss was two killed, several
wounded, and nine prisoners. How those prisoners
whom we released did appreciate being set at liberty!
And they did not forget it, but continued to express
their gratitude to our battalion when they happened to
meet with any of us along through the war. The re-
lease of five or six hundred prisoners, in the hands of
twelve hundred Federals, by not exceeding eighty Con-
federates, was no small feat.
The Confederate Army was moving south along the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, in the direction of Boone-
ville. So there was no little excitement in Confederate
ranks on account of the explosion of the bombshells in
the burning cars, being taken for heavy cannonading.
However, they soon learned better, for it was not lono-
before the head of the column passed Booneville. Our
sick had to get out, or be taken out, of the depot to
avoid being burned alive, so they were lying about on
the ground, some dead and others in a dying condition
;
so the scene was anything but a pleasant one to look
upon. Our battalion moved back to the same place we
camped the night before.
Saturday, jist. After the rear of the infantry passed
we moved on down, covering the retreat on the left
flank. Two companies of Colonel Forrest's Regiment
were with us. We bivouacked about six miles from
Boonville. Our wagons moved on with the main army.
J 74 E. E. Hancock's Diary.
Sunday, /luie isi Alter a march of about ten miles
through the woods, along by-paths, passing- but tew
farms, we camped for the night in the woods, or rather
in the bushes. Still in Tishamingo County. It is a
large but rather poor county, though heavily timbered,
mostly pine.
Monday 2d. Moving only about two miles, we
stopped for the night on the road leading from
Ja-
cinto to Marietta. Had quite a hard rain in the even-
ing.
Tuesday, jd. Moving two miles again, we halted for
a few days at Marietta, a small village in Itawamba
County, twenty-one miles from Jacinto.
A part of the army stopped at Baldwin, a station on
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, twelve miles west of
Marietta, while the rest went further south. The wag-
ons belonging to our battalions were at Baldwin.
Friday, 6th.McKnight's Company went on a scout
toward Bay Spring. They brought no news of inter-
est.
Saturday, ph.The battalion fell back almost three
miles from Marietta.
Sujiday, 8th.After a march of about seventeen miles
on the Fulton road, we camped within a few hundred
yards of the Tombigbee River, near where Colonel
Bennett's Battalion was camped.
Monday, gtJi. We moved about two hundred yards
and encamped on the bank of the Tombigbee. Our
wagons were brought out to us, loaded with corn, pro-
visions and cooking^ vessels. Our tents were left at the
railroad. Our wagons had not been with us, except
Seventh Battalion. 175
two nights at Booneviile, since they left us at
Jacinto
(May 5th).
Fuhon, the county seat oi Itawamba County, was
about one mile from our camp, on the east side of the
Tombigbe^, and about twenty-one miles from Marietta.
Wednesday, iith. We moved back and camped on
higfher
orround, about one-halt mile from the river.
SKETCH OF SEVENTH BATTALION.
I have been thinking that I would be able to induce
some member of Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cav-
alry, to write up a sketch of said battalion
; but as I
have not been able to do so I shall proceed to give a
sJiort sketch of said battalion from its organization to
the time it was consolidated with the First Battalion, as
best I can, depending for data mainly upon Lieutenant
B. A. High (Company E), who is the only member of
Seventh Battalion living near the writer.
As the following company rolls have been made out
from memory of surviving comrades, I do not by any
means claim that they are complete, but, on the other
hand, I expect that many errors will be found and many
names omitted, though not intentional.
COMPANY ROLLS OF BENNETT'S BATTALION.
The following is the roll of Company
A,f
Seventh
Battalion Tennessee Cavalry :
Bonde, H. B., Captain. Living in Texas.
Montgomery, W. N., First Lieutenant, l.|
t
Baxter Smith was Captain of this Company when first organized at Galla-
tin, but as he was soon after made Major, H. B. Bonde was made Captain.
J
Those whose names are followed by an 1 were living, and those whose
names are followed by the letter d were dead when this and the following rolls
were made out, in January, 1887. The star (*) marks the unaccounted for.
Those in small capitals surrendered May loth, 1865.
Love, George, Second Lieutenant. Killed at Fort Pillow.
||
Love, T. R., Third Lieutenant, living in Sumner County.
Treadway, X. V., First Sergeant.
-i=
Hamilton, T. P., Second Sergeant, 1.
Solomon, H., Third Sergeant. Discharged and killed by accident.
Duncan, Fourth Sergeant.-;^ Captured at Medon, West Tennessee,
and mortally wounded
July 15, 1864.
Bullock, Ed, First Corporal.
Styles, John, Second Corporal. Living in Arkansas.
Buck, Elias, Third Corporal. Died since the war.
Johnson, G. W., Fourth Corporal, 1.
Avers, William. Killed near Paducah March 25th, 1S64.
Bayless, Richard, 1.
Barnes, Tho. Captured at Columbia and died in prison.
Brazzel, Henry, 1.
Blackmore, A.
J.,
1.
Brown, George. Killed at Tory fight.
Brown, William. Wounded and captured at Medon, Tennessee,
and mortally wounded
July 14, 1864.
Baley, Ed, 1. Captured at Corinth while courier for General Beal.
Buck, John, 1.
Belcher, John, 1.
Clenny, Henry, 1.
Carr, John D. Living at Hartsville. Wounded April 2d, 1865.
Carter, W. N., 1. Discharged at Corinth.
Conley, Pat.*
Cantrell,
J.
M. Living at Gallatin.
||
Wounded
July 14th, 1864.
Crocket, Tho., 1.
Dodd,
J.
K. (Tobe), 1. Wounded slightly at Medon, Tennessee;
captured by Grierson raid, and wounded again at Fort Pillow in April,
1864.11
Dobbins, G. B. Living in Kentucky.
Duffer, R. A.* Discharged at Corinth May, 1862.
Eaton, Alph. Died at Corinth in 1862.
Elliott, E. O. Living at Gallatin.
||
Elliott, S. F. Living in Sumner County. Transferred from W.
B. Bate's Regiment at Murfreesboro in February, 1862.
Franklin, John. Killed at Shiloh April 7th. 1862.
Feeling, William. 1.
II
See Appendix A.
Seyenth Battalion. 177
Franklin, S. C, 1.
Franklin, A. R., 1.
Faidley, Charles. Died at Gallatin of cholera in
1873.
Gillespie. Dr.
J.
F., 1.
Holder, John, d. Discharged at Corinth in 1862.
Harlen, Stephen, 1.
Harrel, John, 1. Captured at Port Hudson in
July, 1863, while
courier for General Beale.
Henley, George, 1. Captured with
John Harrel.
Henley, James. Ca]3tured near Bolivar, Tennessee; died at Camp
Douglass.
Harris, O. B., d. Captured at Medon, Tennessee, in 1862.
Hunter,
J.
C. Killed at Shiloh, April 7th, 1862.
Harper, VV. T. , 1.
Ireland, R. M., 1.
joiner, Tho., 1.
Jarvis,
J.
L.*
King, Dempsey, 1. Captured near Bolivar, Tennessee, and sent to
'Camp Douglass.
King,
Joe,
1.
Lee, Alfred, d.
Lee, John. Killed at Town Creek,
July 15th, 1864.
Love, S. \V. Living in Gallatin; wounded at Fort Pillow.
Love, H. E. Living in Gallatin.
Love. G. W. Killed accidentally since the war.
McCormack, James, 1.
Martin,
J.
D., 1. Captured in Mississippi, but mape his escape.
Murphrey,
John.*
Moore, John, 1.
McCarty, Pat.*
Moses, S. D., 1.
,
May, W. H., 1.
Owsley, William, 1.
Porter, Jack.* Captured at Woodburn, Kentucky, in 1862,
Rickman, W. T. , 1. Wounded
July
13th, 1864.
Renfro, Pleas. Died at Corinth in 1862.
Ray, Alex., 1.
Ray, Sid., 1. Captured near Bolivar, Tennessee, sent to Camp
Douglass.
Ryan, James, d. Wounded
July
13th, 1864.
12
Shaw, James. Died in hospital at or near Okolona, in 1862.
Seay, George.*
Seay, WilHam T.* Discharged at Corinth, May, 1862.
Tompkins, John.
Living at Gallatin. Captured near Bolivar^
Tennessee, and sent to Camp Douglass, 111.
Thompson, John. Killed at Shiloh April 7th, 1862.
Wells, W. T. , 1. Captured at West Point, Mississippi, and sent to^
Camp Douglass, 111.
Wells, James, 1.
Williamson, Rush, d.
Wilson, R. I., 1.
Youree, Peter, 1.
Youree, Charles, 1.
Company B, Seventh Battalion Tennessee Cavalry,,
was mustered into service at Hartsville, in October,
1 86 1,
by Baxter Smith. The following is the roll of said
Company :
Bennett, C. L., Captain, d.
Allen, R. B., First Lieutenant, 1.
Stalker,
J.
D., Second Lieutenant, 1.
Sory, John, Third Lieutenant, 1.
Martin, Z. W. , First Sergeant, 1.
Carman, T.
J.,
Second Sergeant, 1.
Bennett, Wm., Third Sergeant, 1.
Blackwell, Geo., Fourth Sergeant, 1.
Fleemon, James, First Corporal, 1.
Kerley, B. P., Second Corporal, 1.
Day, James, Third Corporal, d.
Bradley, T. M. Fourth Corporal, 1.
Allen,
Chilton, 1. ,
Buckingham, P. T. Captured'
Allen, Arch, 1.
on Hood raid, and sent to Camp
Averitt,
J.
D.*
Chase.
Ball, Boney, 1. Buckingham, Tho., 1.
Blankenship, Joel,
1. Wounded Burrow, William, 1.
at
Britton'SjLane Sept. i, 1862. Burrow,
Joe.*
Wounded at
Brown, Burnett. Wounded at Shi- Britton's Lane Sept. i, 1862.
loh and died soon after. Bass, Rubin,* Wounded at
Burk, John.*
Courtland, Ala.
Burk,
William.* Carman, William.*
Seventh Battalion.
179
Crank, T.
J.,
1.
Crank,
John, 1.
Curtis,
Joe.*
Curtis, Ben.* Captured at Cor-
inth May, 1862.
Cakr,
J.
C, 1.
Carr, Nute, 1. Wounded at Padu-
cah, Ky. , March, 1864.
Carr, LaFayette.*
Collins, R. L.*
Collins, John.*
Dobbins, R. B., d. Captured near
Florence, Alabama, October,
1864.
DeBow, W. A., d. Wounded at
Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Made Captain and Major.
Day, William, d.
Dixon, Pate, 1.
Draper, Jeff.*
Dixon, Step., 1.
DUK, MiCAJAH, 1.
Duke, Wm., 1. Wounded at Fort
Pillow April 12, 1864.
Donaho, Charlie, d.
Earls, Dink, d.
Fuller, John, d.
Fleemon,
Joe, 1.
Gammons, Eli, d.
Gammons, Caleb, d.
Gammons, William, 1.
Hall, John C*
Hall, Richard, died at Corinth,
Miss.
Harris, Elijah.*
Huchison, John.*
Hassion, Jack.*
Hughes, James, d.
Hollins, Charlie, killed by jay-
hawkers Oct. I, 1862.
Harland, Steph., 1. Wounded
near Cherokee, Ala., Oct.
21,
1863.
Jentry, Sam.*
Jentry, Simon, d.
Jenkins, Yancy, 1.
Jacobs, M. v.*
Jackson, Tho. , d.
Jones, Charlie, 1.
Jackson, Green, 1.
James, John, 1.
Jentry, Louis.*
Kerley,
John, 1.
Kerley, William, 1.
McMurtry,
James, 1.
Maddox,
Joe, killed at Medon,
Tenn., Aug.
31,
1862.
Meadors, Kit, 1.
Meadors, Wesley, 1.
Meadors,
Jehu, d.
Marshall, Franklin, 1. Captured
near Florence, Ala., Oct,
8,
1864.
Marshall, Frank, 1,
Nixon, Tho., d. Captured near
Florence, Ala., Oct.
8, 1864.
Ouhls, William, died at Corinth,
Miss., 1862.
Payne, F. R., 1.
Piper, Sam, wounded at Shiloh,
and died at Corinth, Miss.
Piper,
Jeff.*
Parker, Wylie, d.
Parker, William, 1.
Parker, Nute, 1.
Parker, E. B., d.
Petigo, Henry.*
Reese, B. P., 1. Captured on
Hood raid, and sent to Camp
Chase.
180
Ragland, Wilse, d.
Roark, William.*
Roark, Joel.*
Stafford, S. T., d.
Stafford, Tennessee,
inth, Miss.
Stafford, Tom, 1.
Stafford, A.*
Stafford, Sam, d.
Sacra, H. S.*
Shrum, Joiner.*
Shrum, William.*
Smithwick, T. M., 1.
Smithwick, Lon, 1.
Stein, E. P., 1.
Turner, Granville, 1.
died at Cor- Turner, Herrod, 1.
Thurman, Jesse, 1.
Throp, F. W., 1. Captured near
Columbia, Tenn., on Under-
wood expedition.
Violett, William, died at Corinth,
Miss., 1862.
Walton, John.*
Brevard, Goldman, 1.
DeBow, Richard, d.
DeBow, Grant, 1.
Lauderdale, John.*
Luster, William.* Wounded at
Medon, Tenn., and captured
The following list contains the names of those who
were transferred from the Second Tennessee Infantry
(Colonel W. B. Bate) at Corinth
:
near Columbia, Tenn, on Un-
derwood expedition.
Mills, Dero, 1.
Oglesby, James P., 1.
Seav, George E., 1. Made
Lieutenant and Captain.
Ward, John, d.
Company C was made up in Sumner County and or-
ganized into a company at Castalian Springs, about
midway between Hartsville and Gallatin. This company
roll is as follows :
Tyree, E. P., Captain. Died since the war.
Mentlow,
J.
A., First Lieutenant, 1.
Bentley,
J.
M., Second Lieutenant, d.
Patterson, W. C, Third Lieutenant. Living in Sumner County,
Tennessee.
Young, Joe,
First Sergeant. Died in Alabama in March, 1862.
Youree, T.
J.,
Second Sergeant, 1. Made Lieutenant in June, 1862.
Harlin, Henry, Third Sergeant. Went to Texas.
Bentley, Tho. H. Living in Sumner County.
Phillips, William, First Corporal. Went to North Carolina.
Parsons, Baker, Second Corporal, 1.
Maddox, Wilburn, Third Corporal. Left in Mississippi.
Clifton, Joshua, Fourth Corporal. Went to Arkansas.
Aldrage, Alex, 1.
Askew, C. M., died since the war.
Brown, George, 1.
Bird, Dabney, 1.
Byrns, John, 1. Captured near
Bolivar, Tenn., Feb.
5,
1864.
Corum, Abiga, died on the way
home from Corinth in 1862.
Corum, William, 1.
Cockes, William I., died in Ala-
bama March, 1862.
Compton, Ben., died since the war.
Cannon, David, died at Corinth
in 1862.
Cannon, Berry, 1.
Cloay, John, killed at Shiloh April
7th, 1862.
Cloay, Jones, died on the way home
from Corinth in 1862.
Clark, Sam, d.
Chambers, Jack. Went to Texas.
Connor, Sam.*
Uickerson, James R., killed at
Cherokee, Ala., Oct. 21, 1863.
Echols,
J.
B. , discharged at Cor-
inth in 1862.
Grantham, Carroll, 1.
Harrison, Dr.
J.
W. , living at
Cairo, Sumner County, Tenn.f
Jinkins, Mason, 1.
Jackson, Dock, 1.
Luster, Charlie, 1.
Lockett, Eli,
1.'
Captured July 14,
1864;
now in Mississippi.
Maddox, Feeling, 1.
Marlin, Henry, 1.
Oneal, William.*
Pruett, Pall, 1.
Posey, Robert, d.
Parrish, Horace. Went to Texas.
Ramsey, William (Mack), living
in Wilson County.
Ramsey, Vol, living in Wilson
County.
Robertson, Nat. , 1. Transferred
from W. B. Bate's Regiment
at Marfreesboro.
Robertson, William, 1.
Stinson,
Joe.*
Shelton, Benton, d.
Taylor, William, 1.
Turnage, Alex (Sandy), died
since the war.
Williams, Henry, died since the
war.
Wilks, Ashley, died on the way
home from Corinth, Miss.
Wilks, Ulysses, 1.
Wicks, William, 1.
Williams,
J.
G., 1.
Walker, Noah.*
Wynn, Robert, 1.
Young, Rich, died at Gallatin in
1861.
Young, Tom, died since the war.
Youree, W. B., transferred to
Bate's Regiment and killed
near Atlanta, Ga.
Youree, F. W., living near Gal-
latin,
f
tSee Appendix A.
Company D was made up and organized in the north-
western portion of Sumner County. A few men from
the south-eastern portion of Robertson County joined
this company. It was mustered into service at Fountain
Head, some twelve miles north of Gallatin, in October,
1 86 1. The following is the company roll
:
Grififin, M. T. , Captain. Raised another company, and died in
prison.
Cole, A. F. , First Lieutenant, 1.
Jackson,
Alfred, Second Lieutenant, living eleven miles north-
west of Gallatin.
Jones, A., Third Lieutenant.*
Armstrong, Elias, First Sergeant, living in Sumner County.
Brinkley,
J.
A., Second Sergeant, afterward Captain, living at Ve-
rona, Mississippi,
t
Brinkley,
J.
K., Third Sergeant, 1. Wounded at Fort Pillow April
12, 1864.
Corkian, W. L., Fourth Sergeant, 1.
Jackson,
William, First Corporal, 1.
Wilson, William, Second Corporal, 1.
Brinkley, H. A., Third Corporal, 1.
Kelley, Samuel, Bugler, died in Mississippi in October, 1862.
Austm,t James
T., 1. Wounded Colley, William, 1.
April 24, 1863,
and July 13,
Crabb, William, 1.
1864.
Made Lieutenant June,
Cummings, James, d.
1862.
Denning, John E., transferred
Briley, John, 1.
from William B. Bate's Regi-
Briley, Elisha, mortally wounded ment and killed at Harrisburg
at Pulaski, Tenn., Sept.
27,
1864. July 14, 1864.:!:
Briley, Howard, 1. Edwards, William, captured at
Bailey, Samuel, 1.
Guntown, and died in prison.
Boling, Crockett, 1.
Eidson, William, d.
Biggs, Sandy, 1.
Foster, John, 1.
Blackard, Green, 1.
Friece,
J.
V. W., d.
Baldridge Charles, 1. Garrett, Sam, 1.
tSee
Appendix A.
J
Ibid.
Seyenth Battalion.
183
Owen, William, killed in Sumner
County.
Pennell, Newsom,t living in
Nashville. Made Third Lieu-
tenant
June 12, 1863.
Pitt, Bridger, 1.
Rigsby, S. B., 1.
Roberts, Dock, 1.
Roberts, George, died since the
war. .
Roberts, Henry, died since the
war.
Shaw, James, 1.
Summers, Joseph, 1.
Gilbert,
J.
W., 1.
Hames, Andrew, killed at Mud
Creek June 20, 1863.
Harden, Joseph, d.
Harden, Robert, died during the
war.
Harden, Calvin, 1.
Hester, W. B., 1. Captured near
Rienzi, Miss.
Harden, James, d.
Hames, William.*
Hall, Simon, died at Ramon, Miss.
Houston, Erby, 1.
Jackson, John, 1.
Jackson, James, 1. Captured and Strother, William, d,
paroled at Okolona, Miss., in Trauber, William, d
December, 1862.
Johnson, Robert, 1.
Johnson, John,
died in 1862.
Kinkade, Eli, 1.
Link, Dock, 1.
Link, James, 1. Wounded at Fort
Pillow April 12, 1864.
Link, Thomas, 1. Wounded near
Cherokee, Ala., Oct. 21, 1863.
Lanier,
J.
R., 1. Now
(1887)
a
physician in Sumner County.
-Legg, William, 1.
Legg, David, 1.
Louis, John, 1.
Martin, George, 1.
Mackey,
J.
B., 1.
Morras,
J.
F., d.
Moore, Joseph, 1.
TSTimmo,
J.
B., d.
Company E was raised in Smith County, Tennessee,
organized at New Middleton, and mustered into service
at Epperson Springs, in Macon County, Tennessee, on
t
See Appendix A.
Warren, Wash, 1. Wounded at
Okolona Feb. 22, 1864.
Wilkerson, Charles, wounded at
Shiloh, and captured near
Bolivar, Tenn.
West, W. W., 1.
Williams, G. B., killed in Ken-
tucky during Hood raid.
Williams,
John, d. Captured
near Bolivar, Tenn.
Wilkerson, LaFayette, 1.
Wilkerson, George.*
Walton, John, 1.
Walker, Tom, d.
Winn, Whit, 1.
Winn, William, d. Wounded at
Manassas and transferred from
W. B. Bate's Regiment.
The following is the
the 17th day of October, 1861.
roll of said company :
Gates, A. B., Captain.
Eastes,
J.
M., First Lieutenant. Made Captain in 1863
wounded July
13th,
1864.!
High, B. A., Second Lieutenant, 1.
Bowen, John,
Third Lieutenant.
Allen, Tobe, 1.
Allen, Riley, 1.
Andrews, Sam, d.
Allison, Lee.*
Boulton, Gideon, d.
Boram, Merido, d. Captured near
New Middleton, Tenn.
Barrett, George, d.
Barrett, L Jock, d. Captured at
Rienzi, Miss., August 26, 1862.
Bradford,
J.
R. Bugler of Sev-
enth Battalion and Second Ten-
nessee Regiment. Died near
New Middleton in 1882.
Bayken, Jink, d.
Clark, William, died at Corinth.
Carnett, John.*
Denney, Brown, 1.
Dickerson, Tom, died in West
Tennessee.
Dickerson, James, died since the
war.
Eastes, Tho.
J.
Wounded Aug.
8, 1863,
while on private scout.
Now
(1887)
a Baptist preacher.
Fuller, Tho., 1. Was a prisoner
from September 9th, 1863, to
March 3d, 1865.
Fultes,
J.
D., 1.
Huddleston, Coon, 1. Captured
in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Mortally
Hogge, Vit, killed in Smith
County, Tennessee.
Hoges, Robert, died at Corinth,.
Mississippi.
Jones, Allen.*
Jones, Dan., d.
Johnson, Shed., 1.
Luster,
J.
B. Quartermaster of
Seventh Battalion. Now
(1887)
editor of Carthage Mirror.
Lawrence,
J. J.
Ligon, Ned.*
Ligon, Tim.*
Matthews, Mat., 1.
McMurry, John.*
McGhee, Charlie, d.
Moore, B. H., 1. Orderly Ser-
geant, Lieutenant, and Cap-
tain. Wounded in December,
i864.t
Minton, Carroll, 1.
Merritt, A. V., 1.
Moore, Dudley, 1.
Nichol, VVm., killed at Mur-
freesboro December
7,
1864.
Nichol, George, 1.
Pope, N. C, 1. Wounded at
Paducah March
25, 1864.
Paschal, M. F. M. Captured
July 13, 1864. Died in De-
cember, 1886.
fSee Appendix A.
CoLONEi.
J.
D. BENNETT.
SevExNth JUttalion. 185
Reeves, David, killed October 26,
1863"Tory fight."
Robertson, Dave, d.
Robertson, William R., killed Oc-
tober ist, 1862, by Kansas jay-
hawkers.
Robertson, A. A., 1. Captured
Sept.
27,
1862, by Seventh Kan-
sas.
Rittenberry, L.
J.,
d.
Stephens, John, d.
Sanders, John, d.
Squires, William, died ten days
after his return home.
Saddler, William, 1. Wounded
on Hood raid while private scout
for General Buford.
Sampson,
J.,
1.
Tyree, John, 1.
Taylor, Vince.*
Thompson, William, killed
July
13, 1864, by sun-stroke.
Thompson, V. D. (Tobe), 1.
Captured Dec.
25, 1864.
Trousdale, Harvey, died at Cor-
inth, Miss., in 1862.
White, William.*
White, Bud.*
Wilhoit, Buck.*
Wilhoit.*
Williams, Goolsberry.*
Williams, Barnett, d.
Wooton, John, 1.
Wooton, James.*
West, W. C, living near Car-
thage. Wounded
July 14th,
1864.
VVilkerson, Dock, 1.
On the 19th of October, 1861, at Epperson Springs,
Macon County, Tennessee, the five companies pre-
viously mentioned were organized into a battaHon,.
known as the
SEVENTH BATTALION, TENNESSEE CAVALRY,
by electing the following field and staff officers
:
James D. Bennett, Lieutenant-Colonel.
f
Baxter Smith, Major.
J.
B. Luster, Acting Quartermaster.
E. O. Elliott, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
T. Winston, Surgeon,
J.
W. Harrison, Assistant Surgeon.
Horace Paris, Commissary.
J.
R. Bradford, Bugler.
Haney, Chaplain.
Another company (F), whose roll is given below, was
organized at Gallatin and added to the Seventh Battal-
tSee Appendix A.
ion after it was organized as above mentioned. This
company was made up as follows :
Thomas Puryear (afterward Captain) had enlisted a
number of men alongr the Cumberland River, in the
southern portion of Sumner and the northern portion of
Wilson Counties
;
but as he did not have enough for a
full company, and as Captain Bonde's and Captain Ben-
nett's Companies had by this time grown to be too large
(the latter had increased to about one hundred and
thirty men), enough men were detached from those two
companies (A and B) to complete, with Puryear's en-
listment, the sixth and last company of Bennett's Bat-
talion.
Odom,
J.
T. E., Captain. Living in Sumner County.
Puryear, Thomas, First Lieutenant,
d.f
Andrews, Robert, Second Lieutenant, d.
Terry, Kib, Tliird Lieutenant, 1.
Vance, William, First Sergeant, 1.
Stafford, Sam.. Second Sergeant, I.
Averett, Jared (Mars), killed near
Florence, Ala., Oct.
7,
1864.
Armstrong, William
J.,
d. Cap-
tured at Rienzi, Miss. , Aug. 26,
1862.
Buck, Jeff., 1.
Buck, Elias, 1.
Barteau, C. R., 1. Transferred
from Company B. Afterward
Colonel of Second Tennessee
Regiment Cavalry, t
Barbour, Henry, missing at Shiloh.
Carothers, Marion, 1.
Dias, W. W., 1.
Dyer, Gibs.*
Drury, James, killed July 13,
1864.
Dickens, John, 1. Wounded at
Franklin. Tenn., December,
1864.
Dickens, Jesse.*
Dannel, Cricket, d.
Driver, Daniel.
Fowler, Thomas, 1.
.
Grant, Ed., 1.
Grant, Wills, d.
Grifhn,
J.
P., 1.
^
Harshaw, James, d.
Houston, Eli.*
Hager, George F., 1. Trans-
ferred from Sixth Kentucky
Regiment at Corinth.];
James, John.*
t See Appendix A. Ibid.
Lasater, Sol., 1.
Mason, James, d.
Mason, Ed., 1.
McCuUoch, David, 1.
Mansfield, P. E., d.
Mahorn, P. R. , 1.
Petway, T. W.,1
2d, 1865.
Petway,
J.
M., I.
Puryear, Elijah, 1.
Puryear, William, d.
Priar, George, 1.
Pruett, James.*
Puryear, D. C, 1.
Ramsey, Z. B. , 1.
Rose, Henry, 1.
Rutledge,
J.
W., 1.
Stephens, John, d.
Smith, John, 1.
Southerland, William.*
Stafford, William, 1.
Siddons, George L. , living at
Selma, Ala. Made Lieuten-
ant in 1864.
Siddons, Gilbert, 1.
Siddons,
J.
K., 1.
Siddons, James, 1.
Wounded April Smith, John, 1.
Talley, Rev. S. C, 1. Chaplain
of Second Tennessee Cavalry.
Templeton, Ab. , 1.
Trout, Bird, d.
Thurman, Wallace, 1.
Thurman, Monroe, 1.
Vance, James, Sr., 1.
Vance, James, Jr.,
d.
Vance, John, 1. Wounded
July
14, 1864.
Woodard, James, 1.
Woods, Sam, 1.
White, William, d.
White, Bud, 1.
After the organization (as previously mentioned) of
the Seventh Battalion at Epperson Springs, Macon
County, Tennessee, near the Kentucky line, they re-
mained encamped at that place about four weeks, mean-
while doing picket duty and scouting along the southern
border of Kentucky.
About the 17th of November, 1861, Lieutenant-Colo-
nel Bennett moved his battalion from Epperson Springs
to a large woods lot near one Mr. Chinault's, about six
miles north-east of Gallatin, Tennessee ; and after re-
maining there about one week his next camping place
was about one mile north of Scottsville, Allen County,
Kentucky.
Colonel Bennett was now instructed to keep out
.scouts and guard well the right flank of General Buck-
ner's army, the main portion of which was now at Bowl-
ing Green. Therefore, soon after reaching Scottsville,
Colonel Bennett threw out scouting parties, with in-
structions to guard the line of Green River below Co-
lumbia. One of these scouts, composed of about
thirty men, was under the command of Lieutenant B.
A. High, Company F. He threw his men out to the
line of Green River, on the extreme Confederate right,
near Columbia, which was at that time occupied by the
enemy. It was while out on this expedition that he
and his scout captured the Major of Colonel Crane's
Kentucky Regiment and some four or five others.
While at Scottsville, Captain Bonde's Company (A)
was detached, with instructions to report to General
Buckner at Bowline Green.
About the first week in December the Seventh Bat-
talion moved from Scottsville, Kentucky, to Gallatin,
Tennessee, encamping at the race-tracks, about one
mile north of town. Lieutenant High's scout did not
rejoin the battalion until a few days after it had moved
to Gallatin. About this time Captain Tyree's Com-
pany (C) was detached to guard the Cumberland River
from Carthage to Celina, and also to guard the supplies
which were now being landed at or between those
places, to be conveyed by wagon from there to Zolli-
coffer's army at Mill Springs.
Having previously done but little drilling, it was
while encamping at Gallatin that Major Cheneworth, a
Kentuckian, commenced the work of thoroughly drill-
ing and disciplining the Seventh Battalion. That of-
ficer remained with the battalion as drill-master until
after the battle of Shiloh.
Bonde's and Tyree's Companies having previously
rejoined the battalion at Gallatin, Colonel Bennett was
ordered, in January, 1862, to divide his battalion into
detachments, placing one at each of the various bridges
alone the railroad for some distance above and below
Gallatin. He was also instructed to keep a scout in
the vicinity of Columbia to watch the movements of the
enemy in that quarter, and also to protect the couriers
who occasionally passed between General A. S.
John-
ston at Bowling Green and General G. B. Crittenden
at Mill Springs. Accordingly he ordered Lieutenant
High to take a squad of men and go to that vicinity for
the purposes above named. In fact, having learned by
this time that High was a true and trusty scout. Colonel
Bennett kept him in that branch of service nearly all the
time. High had the
"
Home Guards," who were now
scattered all through that portion of country, to contend
with and look after, as well as the regular Federal sol-
diers. The service which he was now called upon to
perform was very dangerous. It was he who reported
to General Johnston that General Thomas was moving
upon General Crittenden at Mill Springs, and soon after
reported the defeat of the Confederates at Fishing Creek.
When the Confederate army was falling back from
Bowling Green to Nashville, about the middle of Feb-
ruary, 1862, Colonel Bennett was ordered to ''keep the
track clear'' along that portion of the railroad which
his battalion was still guarding. Whereupon Lieuten-
ant High, who in the meantime had been called in from
Kentucky, was instructed to take charge of an engine
and see that the above order was strictly obeyed. To
use his own language, he "made all trains either move
on or get upon a side-track, zvhether they could or not.''
After the Confederate army had all fallen back from
190
R. E. Hancock's Diary,
Bowling Green to Nashville, the several detachments of
the Seventh Battalion moved to the latter place, and,
crossing the Cumberland River on the wire bridge, ren-
dezvoused near the Lunatic Asylum, on the Murfrees-
boro turnpike, six miles from Nashville. As soon as all
the detachments of his battalion had crossed the Cum-
berland .and joined him at the above named camp. Colo-
nel Bennett moved on to Murfreesboro, where he halted
but a few days. At the reorganization of Johnston's
army at
Murfreesboro, on the 23d of February, the
Seventh
Battalion was attached to Hindman's Brigade,
Hardee's Division.
On the 28th Johnston put his army in motion south-
ward from Murfreesboro, with Hindman's Brigade (with
which Bennett now moved) in advance. Passing on
through
Shelbyville, Fayetteville and Athens, the ad-
vance of Johnston's
army arrived at Decatur, Alabama,
about the loth of March. The Seventh Battalion
crossed the Tennessee River on the railroad bridge and
encamped about one mile from town.
From Gallatin Lieutenant B. A. High (Company E)
went by the way of Smith County after some of his
company who were at home on furlough. At Carthage
he found a large lot of rations and clothing, which had
been shipped to that point from Nashville for Critten-
den's Division, and had been left for want of trans-
portation. Having collected together about ten of
Gates' Company (E), High pressed all the wagons that
he could in that vicinity and sent the main portion of
these stores from Carthage to McMinnville, to be
shipped south from there by rail. He with his ten men
then joined the battalion before it had crossed the Ten-
nessee, as previously mentioned.
The wagons and artillery were being brought across
the river on the cars, but on account of a long levee
they had to be put on the cars about two miles from
the river. The work of crossing the trains appeared to
be progressing quite slowly, for the Seventh Battalion
had now been on the south side of the river about two
days, and yet its train had not arrived. Colonel Ben-
nett went to General Armstrong, who was in command
of the post, and complained that his men were sufferings
as they had neither rations nor camp equipage, and re-
quested that officer to either have his train brought
over or allow his men to cross back to the train. Arm-
strong replied that everything was in confusion on the
other side of the river, and therefore he could not have
the wagon trains brought over as fast as he wished. I
suppose that it was at the suggestion of Colonel Ben-
nett that Lieutenant High was now sent for and in-
structed by General Armstrong to cross the river and
superintend the loading of artillery and wagons. And,
notwithstanding General Floyd was present when High
reached the scene, the former stepped aside, after a few
rather short words had been passed, and the latter soon
brought order out of confusion, and sent the wagons
and artillery across as fast as it could possibly be done.
After remaining at Deca-tur some five or six days,
Bennett moved down to Courtland, where he halted a
few days, and then moved on to Corinth, Mississippi,
by the way of Tuscumbia and luka.
Being immediately thrown out on outpost duty, the
battalion camped for several days about three or four
miles north of Corinth, near Farmington, doing picket
duty and scouting between there and the Tennessee
River.
192 E. R. HaiVcock's Diary.
About the ist of April Colonel Bennett was ordered
to move his battalion from Farmington to Purdy, Mc-
Nairy County, Tennessee, about twenty miles north of
Corinth, and there report to General Cheatham. Purdy
is about thirteen miles north-west of Pittsburg Landing,
where the Federal army under General Grant had pre-
viously landed. The right wing of said army was only
about eight miles from Purdy. Owing to the near
proximity of the enemy, Cheatham now kept the Sev-
enth Battalion on constant hard duty, and with alacrity
did they perform all duty required of them.
About the 3d, Lieutenant High was instructed to
take thirty men and pass over certain roads to see if
they were occupied by the enemy, after which he could
go where he pleased. After examining said roads and
finding no enemy on either, he ordered his men to halt
while he and Lieutenant R. B. Allen (Company B) rode
nearer the enemy's camp. About this time a skirmish
was heard going on some distance south, and as the
Federals ran up on a ridge to see what was going on
south of their camp, High and Allen rode into their camp
from the north side. Seeing two Federals sitting on a log
near by, Allen shot and, as afterward learned, mortally
wounded one of them. After which High and Allen
rejoined the scout and returned to camp near Purdy.
On the 4th Captain A. B. Gates' Company was de-
tached and sent to guard a bridge on the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, near Falcon, about six miles south of
Purdy. Believing that a fight was near at hand
(John-
ston was then moving upon Grant at Shiloh), two of
Gates' Company (Lieutenant High and Private W. C.
West) remained with the battalion.
On the 5th Cheatham's Division, including the Sev-
enth Battalion, moved from Purdy and joined the main
Confederate army in front of Shiloh.
On the 6th Johnston attacked Grant in the vicinity
of Shiloh Church ;
and as I have previously given an
account of the Battle of Shiloh, I shall say but little
more about it here. Owing to the nature of the ground
the cavalry could not be handled to much advantage,
and hence they did not do a great deal of hard fight-
ing, yet they did valuable service in guarding the flanks.
Polk's Corps, to which Cheatham's Division belonged,
constituted the third line of battle, with Cheatham's
Division on the left. Lieutenant High commanded the
.advance guard in front of Cheatham's Division. This
guard was composed of a detachment from the Seventh
Battalion and perhaps some other cavalry. When High
struck Sherman's Division, to the left of the Shiloh
Church, he fell back behind the Confederate infantry,
with instructions from Cheatham to form all the cavalry
belonging to his division on the left of it. As Colonel
Bennett was moving in the rear of the cavalry, when he
moved around and formed on the left of Cheatham's
Division he was also on the extreme Confederate left.
As Sherman had had time to form his men before at-
tacked by Cheatham's Division, it was in this quarter
of the field that the hardest fighting was done, though
Sherman was soon forced to yield his favorable position
and fall back toward the Tennessee River. Suffice it to
say that the Seventh Battalion cheerfully and promptly
did all that was required of it throughout the two days'
fighting.
In reference to the surrender of General Prentiss,
which occurred during the first day's fighting. Lieuten-
ant B. A. High says:
13
When the Confederate right drove back the Federal left I saw that
we had got in advance of a portion of the enemy's line to our left.
Believing that the Federals thus cut off would surrender if asked to do-
so, I immediately rode out leftward in their rear, or rather in their
front, as they had turned to fall back, and when I met General Pren-
tiss he handed me his sword, saying : ''To whom have I the honor of
surrendering?" I accepted his surrender, but handed his sword
back to him.
As the Confederates fell back toward Corinth, Lieu-
tenant High was sent to Falcon to order Captain Cates'
Company and the wagon train of Cheatham's Division
to Corinth.
During the two days' fighting at Shiloh the Seventh
Battalion lost four
(John
Thompson,
John
Franklin and
J.
C. Hunter, Company A, and John Cloay, Company
C) killed, about two (Sam Piper and Burnett Brown,.
Company B) wounded, and two (Henry Barbour and
Daniel Driver) missing.
When the Seventh Battalion moved from Farmington
to Purdy, A. V. Merritt (Company E) was left sick
near the former place. When the advance of the Fed-
eral army reached that vicinity, some time after the
battle of Shiloh, General Grant established his head-
quarters for several days at the same house. Merritt,
who in the meantime had been concealed up-stairs,
could hear Grant talking to his officers, giving his or-
ders, and thus he learned what that general expected
to do, the movements of his army, etc. In a few days,
however, our army drove the Federals back from the
neighborhood of Farmington, and Merritt, who was.
able for duty by this time, rejoined his command.
I omitted an incident in reference to the battle of
Shiloh which is worthy of mention. It is this: Captain
Griffin, Company D, Seventh Battalion, had a negr
Lieutenant B. A. HIGH, Co. G.
Seventh Battalion.
195
cook with him, who was in the habit of shouldering his
gun and going with the boys whenever a fight was up.
During the battle of Shiloh this negro managed to get
hold of two prisoners, and as he was bringing them
from the field he met two or three other Federals, who-
made an attempt to rescue their comrades. The negro,
making a bold defense, repulsed his assailants, with the
loss of one killed,* and succeeded in bringing off his
two prisoners.
The Seventh Battalion suffered heavy loss from sick-
ness while camping around Corinth. Alf Eaton, Pleas
Renfroe (Company A), Richard Hall, William Ouhls,
Tennessee Stafford, Burnett Brown, Sam Piper and
William Violett (Company B), David Cannon (Com-
pany C), and William Clark, Robert Hoges and Harvey
Trousdale (Company E) were among the number who
died near Corinth in April and May.
William N. Carter,
John Holder, W. T. Seay and R.
A. Duffer (Company A), Abijah
Crum,f Jones Cloay,f
Ashley Wilkes f and
J.
B, Echols (Company C) were
discharged at Corinth.
While the Federals were advancing on Corinth dur-
ing the month of May, the Seventh Battalion, being on
outpost duty, was skirmishing with the enemy almost
daily up to the evacuation of that place, which took
place on the night of the 29th of May. Then moving
by short and easy marches southward, along the east
side of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, the Seventh Bat-
talion encamped, about the 9th of
June, on a fiat ridge
in Itawamba County, Mississippi, about one mile and a
half west of Fulton. It was at this camp that the Sev-
*I saw this Federal after he had been thus killed.
B. A. High.
tDied before reaching home.
196 K. K. Hancock's Diary.
enth Battalion, by consolidation with the First, ceased
to exist on the 12th day of
June,
1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel James D. Bennett, Major Baxter
Smith, all six of the captains and a number of the lieu-
tenants returned to their homes in Middle Tennessee,
though the majority of them engaged in service after-
ward in other commands. However, Captain
J.
T. E.
Odom returned soon after to the Second Tennessee,
and did valuable and gallant service with it.
REORGANIZATION OF BENNETT'S BATTALION.
Near Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of
June, 1862,
the Seventh Battalion reorganized and re-enlisted for
"three years or during the war." In this reorganization
and consolidation the six companies of Bennett's Bat-
talion were reduced to four, as follows
:
Bonde's and Tyree's Companies (A and C) were con-
solidated and became Company D of Second Regiment
Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Captain William T.
Rickman ; Captain Bennett's Company (B) became
Company E of Second Tennessee, commanded by Cap-
tain W. A. DeBow ; Captain Griffin's Company (D)
became Company F of the Second Tennessee, com-
manded by Captain John
A. Brinkley ; and Odom's and
Cates' Companies (E and F) were consolidated and
became Company G of the Second Tennessee, com-
manded by Captain Thomas Puryear.
The following is a list of those who joined Rickman's
Company at various times after
June
12th, 1862:
Abston, Henry.* McAlister, Sank, 1.
Bonner, Robert, 1. Payne, E. S., 1.
Bracking,
William.* Robertson, John, 1.
Douglass, James.*
Raney, James, d.
Douglass,
William, I. Sanford, George.*
Douglass, Robert, 1. Stoveall, Gallie, 1.
Douglass, S. C*
Stoveall, William, 1.
Qgjdner, CuUin, 1. West,
.*
June, 1862. 197
Captain DeBow's Company was recruited as follows:
Adams, H. C, d. Freedle, Charlie, 1.
Adams, William N.,1. Captured Irving, William, 1.
at Columbia, Tenn. Johnson, William, 1.
Bass, John, 1. Wounded April Lauderdale, Dero, d.
ist, 1865.
Mills,
J.
P., 1. Wounded.
Carr, James, 1. Oglesby, Frank. 1.
DeBow, Archie, 1. Stalcup, William, 1. Wounded
Dalton, Robert, 1. Wounded July 14, 1864.
at Tupelo, Miss., May
5,
1863.
The following recruits were added to Captain Brink-
ley's Company:
Bond, William.* Wounded July
Harris, Tyree, d.
14, 1864. Link, Rice, 1.
Cartwright, James, 1. McMillen, James, d. Wounded.
Corkran, P. H., 1. Shubert, William.*
ORGANIZATION OF THE SECOND REGIMENT OF TENNESSEE
CAVALRY.*
Thursday,
Jtme
12th.The three companies of the
First Battalion and_ the four companies to which the
Seventh was now reduced were consolidated, and the
*
Having previously learned that his regiment had not been "officially
known or recorded at the War Department," Colonel Barteau wrote on the 8th
of May, 1864, to the Adjutant and Inspector-General at Richmond as follows:
"... These two battalions were consolidated by order of Brigadier-
General Beall on the 13th (12th) of June, 1862, and the organization designated
by him the Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry. The organization on the
day of consolidation was composed of seven companies; on the day following
an order was sent to the command by Brigadier-General Beall designating it as
the
'
Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry,' and requiring the officers recently
elected to take command; that they would be obeyed and respected, etc. Gen-
eral Beall also stated in a note addressed to myself that three more companies
would report to the regiment in a few days. He was soon after relieved of the
command of the cavalry; the three companies which he had ordered to report
were never known or found. It is probable that the three which he had de-
signed adding were disposed of otherwise.
"The original muster-rolls nor the original order of consolidation were
never, as I suppose, sent by General Beall to Richmond, or the command
198
K. R. Hancock's Diary.
Second Tennessee Cavalry was organized by the elec-
tion of the following field and staff officers :
C. R. Barteau, Lieutenant-Colonel.*
G. H. Morton, Major.
J.
M. Hughes, Surgeon.
J.
W. Harrison, Assistant Surgeon.
M. X. Treadway, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
Gala Brevard, Sergeant-Major.
E. O. Elliott, Acting Quartermaster.
Geo. L. Siddons, Commissary-Sergeant.
S. C. Talley, Chaplain.
James R. Bradford, Bugler.
As the Captain of Company A (G. H. Morton) was
elected Major, Lieutenant N. Oswell became Captain by
promotion ;
and as Atkinson and French were also pro-
moted, the Third Lieutenancy was left vacant ; P, A.
Smith was elected to fill said vacancy.
The following is the Regimental Roster of the Second
Tennessee at the time of its organization as above men-
tioned:
would have been known and recognized. We continued to do our duty in the
field, not thinking but that our superior officers were doing theirs
"The regiment, however, is now full by companies added by General For-
rest, it having been transferred to his command in January last.
"
I desire, if possible, that the number of the regiment may not be changed.
The Second Tennessee, commanded by Colonel Ashby, is from East Tennessee.
If mine could be known as the Second Middle Tennessee Regiment, it would
be exceedingly gratifying to the command. It was raised in Middle Tennessee,
at and in the vicinity of Nashville ; it is composed of the best material in
Middle Tennessee, and has achieved some little character, which would seem
to have been lost if the identity of the regiment should be destroyedthat is,
if the name or number of the regiment should be changed."
Colonel Barteau informs me that he received no reply to the above nor other
communications which he had sent previously; nor did I know until twe}ity-two
years after the war had closed that our regiment was officially recorded at
Richmond as the Twenty-sscoruX Tennessee. See biographical sketch of Rev.
S. C. Talley in Appendix A.
*
As we had only seven companies we were not entitled to a colonel.
LlEUTKNANT-Col.ONEl, GEO. H. MORTON.
June, 1862. 199
Company A.
N. Oswell, Captain.
T. C. Atkinson, First Lieutenant.
A, H. French, Second, Lieutenant.
P. A. Smith, Third Lieutenant.
Company B.
Wm. Parrish, Captain.
T. B. Underwood, First Lieutenant.
G.W. Smithson, Second Lieutenant.
S. B. Wall, Third Lieutenant.
Company C.
M. W. McKnight, Captain.
H. L. W. Turney, First Lieutenant.
S. Dennis, Second Lieutenant.
J.
S. Harrison, Third Lieutenant.
Company D.
W. T. Rickman, Captain.
'Geo. Love, First Lieutenant.
F.W.Youree, Second Lieutenant.
T. R. Youree, Third Lieutenant.
Company E.
W. A. DeBovv, Captain.
Geo. E Seay, First Lieutenant.
R. B. Dubbins, Sec'd Lieutenant.
T.
J.
Carman, Third Lieutenant.
Company F.
J.
A. Brinkley, Captain.
Jas. F. Austin, First Lieutenant.
J.
E. Denning, Sec'd Lieutenant.
N. Penuel, Third Lieutenant.
Company G.
Thomas Puryear, Captain.
J.
M. Eastes, First Lieutenant.
A. W. Lipscomb, Sec'd Lieuten't.
B. H. Moore, Third Lieutenant.
Friday, 13th.We had orders to cook three days'
rations, and be ready to take up the Hne of march by
three o'clock p. m., but as it was pay-day, and as the
paymaster did not get through by that hour, the order
was countermanded, and we did not move. We were
paid for four months and twenty-two days' service, from
ist of January to the 2 2d of May, 1862, one hundred
and thirteen dollars and sixty cents to each private.
Saturday, 14th.Our regiment* mounted and moved
out toward Marietta, at which place they halted for the
night.
*
As I was badly poisoned with poison oak vine I did not go on the above
named scout, but remained with the wagons, which, for safety, were moved
about seven miles nearer the railroad, where they remained until the l6th; then
they were moved back and met the regiment near the old camp, half mile west
of the Tombigbee.
About this time General Beauregard went to Bladen Springs, Alabama, on
account of ill health, leaving General Bragg in command of the army, now in
the vicinity of Tupelo, Mississippi, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
Sunday, i^th.After moving on up within ten miles
of Jacinto
(about thirty from camps) Colonel Barteau
learned that the Federals were at Marietta, in his rear.
Thinking that they were attempting to cut him off, and
if possible capture his whole regiment, he turned to the
right, crossed the Tombigbee, and came down on the
east side to Fulton, where he remained for the night.
Colonel Barteau thus gave the Federals a complete
dodge, and returned unmolested.
Monday, i6tJi.
The regiment crossed the river and

encamped half mile from it. They reported that the Fed-
erals were moving east toward Chattanooga in large
force.
Tuesday, lyth. The regiment recrossed the river and
encamped in sight of Fulton, in a beautiful bottom on
the west side of town.
Thursday, igth.A scout went out and burned a lot of
cotton in order to prevent the Federals from getting it.
Friday, zotJi. W. C. Hancock and three others, who
went out the day before, returned. They reported that
they went to Marietta, but found no Federals there.
Major Morton, with a part of our regiment, went out
on a scout in the direction of luka.
Saturday, 21st.A number of our regiment went to
preaching in Fulton. News coming to church that the
Federals were not far off, and moving in the direction
of Fulton, we did not remain to hear that preacher bring
his remarks to a close, but went to camps in haste to
prepare to receive . the enemy. However, in place of
coming to Fulton, the Federals crossed Tombigbee
some distance above Fulton, cutting off Major Morton's
scout from camps.
July, 1862. 201
Sunday, 22d.The Federal scout, said to be about
one hundred and ten, turned, recrossed Tombigbee, and
went back through Marietta. Morton returned to
camps in the evening without having any coUision with
the enemy.
Thursday, 26tJi. We moved camps from the west to
the south-east of, and half a mile from, Fulton, on the
Smithville road.
Sahirday, 28th.I can now say I have been a soldier
one year, for on the 28th of
June, 1861, about eleven
o'clock A. M., our company (Allison's) was mustered into
service.
No troops were camped near Fulton except Barteau's
Regiment.
Monday, joih.A large scout went out with three
days' rations. We heard news that pleased us well.
Colonel Bradfute said our division was ordered to Mid-
dle Tennessee. O how delighted were we with the
thought of going back to our native State ! But I guess
it was either a false report or the order was counter-
manded, for we heard no more of it.
Wedfiesday,
July
2d. We were ordered to cook five
days' rations for those in camps and those on the scout,
and be ready to march at seven next morning. The
scouting party returned without any news of interest.
Thuj^sday, jd.Promptly in the saddle by seven
Colonel Barteau moved his regiment about fifteen miles
in the direction of luka (on the Memphis and Charles-
ton Railroad), thence about five miles on the Russell-
ville (Alabama) road, where he bivouacked for the
night.
Friday, 4th.Returning to the luka road, thence
about four miles in the direction of luka, we bivouacked
within a few miles of the enemy's picket.
Saturday, ^th.Colonel Barteau left Fulton with the
expectation of going on to luka, but the aid that he
expected not coming up; and not being willing to ven-
ture an attack with but little over two hundred, he
turned, came back by the way of Marietta and biv-
ouacked some four miles south on the Fulton road.
Sunday, 6th.The regiment returned to camps near
Fulton
;
had quite a dusty trip. We remained at Ful-
ton until
Friday, nth.We took up the line of march, wagons
and all, except a few sick that were not able to go.
After a march of about thirteen miles on the luka road
we encamped for the night.
Sattirday, 12th.After a short march of about six
miles we encamped at Bay Springs, where the regi-
ment remained for several days,*
Wednesday, i6th. Dark and rainy as was that night
Colonel Barteau attempted to capture a wagon train
that was going east between Bay Springs and luka,
but he was too late. The train had passed before he
arrived at the place where he expected to make the
capture. After burning some cotton within six miles of
luka the regiment returned to camps.
Friday, i8th.McKnight's Company was sent to
'
It had been ordered that the man whose arms were in the best condition
should have a furlough for eight days. On inspection day
(July 13th) the in-
spector decided in my favor, so I was furloughed for eight days.
J.
W. Ken-
nedy and I went
partly on a pleasure trip and partly after clothing and

liorsesto Franklin County, Alabama; and after spending about five days very
pleasantly with our relatives and friends near Russellville, we returned to
camps at Bay Springs,
July 2lst.
July, 1802. 203
Marietta to picket that place for some days. Colonel
Barteau, with four companies of his regiment, left camps
at Bay Springs to join General Armstrong in an expe-
dition into North Alabama. Will speak more of this
scout when Colonel Barteau returns.
Tuesday, 22d.It was reported that the Federals in
large force were in ten miles of our camps. I and a few
others mounted and went out about eight miles. Hear-
ing nothing of the enemy we returned to camps a little
after dark. Loading our wagons we moved back about
two miles on the Fulton road, where we remained until
morning. But little rest for a poor soldier that night,
on account of so much rain.
Wednesday, 2jd.
Parrish's Company was sent to

Marietta to relieve McKnight's. The wagons and the
few men that were left, one company and fragments of
others, moved on back through, and encamped three-
fourths of a mile from, Fulton. McKnight's Company
from Marietta joined us there in the evening.
Saturday, 26th.Captain McKnight, with fifteen of
his company, left camps with orders to scout north of
Bay Springs. Passing by that place he bivouacked three
miles beyond, on the luka road.
Siniday, 2'/tk. Going a few miles in the direction of
luka, learning nothing of interest from the Federals, we
turned back and bivouacked four miles south of Bay
Springs, on the Fulton road.
Monday, 28th. McKnight's squad was re-enforced by
Captain Kitchen, with about sixty-five men. We re-
mained near Bay Springs until
Wednesday, ôih*Captain McKnight was sent with
*
General Breckinridge had been sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the latter
part of June, with a portion of Bragg's army, and perhaps some had been sent
his squad to relieve Parrish's Company at Marietta. As
it was a very rainy time we took shelter in a school-
house about two miles from Marietta, on the Fulton
road. Our picket stand was in town.
I will here relate a little incident that occurred while
we were picketing at Marietta. Captain McKnight was
informed (August 4th) that a man who had belonged to
the Confederate army, but had deserted and visited the
Federals, was at home fixing to move his family inside
the Federal lines. This man lived about ten miles
north. Determined to make an effort to capture him,
Captain McKnight, I and a few others left our school-
house a little after dark, and awhile before day we sur-
rounded his house. We called at the door, as though
we were some of his neighbors. His wife answered.
We told her that we wanted to see her husband, call-
ing him by name, as though we were well acquainted
with him. She said he was not at home, but had gone
to his father's. On being asked to open the door, she
said she would as soon as she could get a light. We
believed he was at home, because she was so much ex-
cited and so long getting a light. After so long a time
she opened the door, and Captain McKnight searched
the house while I gruarded the door. We noticed three
ladies lying on one bed, but did not find our man. We
searched other houses, and finally went to his father's,
but still failed to find him. Our trip, however, was not
altogether in vain, for one Mr. Malone gave us a splen-
did breakfast, his daughters made some sweet music for
to other points, but Bragg was now transferring the main portion of his army
from Tupelo, Mississippi, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to confront General Bu-
ell, who, after the battle of Shiloh, had been ordered back into Middle Ten-
nessee.
August, ]8H2. 205
us, besides we had as many melons and peaches as we
could eat. Who but a soldier, though, could appreci-
ate such a treat as that ! While at Mr. Malone's we
learned, to our surprise and chagrin, that the object of
our search was, at the time we were searching his house,
between the straw andfeather beds ufider those three ladies.
After taking a real hearty laugh over the aftair, we
mounted and returned to our picket base.
While McKnight's Company was picketing at Ma-
rietta our camps were moved from Fulton to within
two miles of Guntown. The latter place is on the Mo-
bile and Ohio Railroad, some thirteen miles south-west
from Marietta. The Federals were kind enouph not to
visit Marietta while we were there, though they came
within about five miles, taking cotton, negroes, horses,
etc.
I will here relate another little incident, which. I am
sure, some of McKnight's Company will remember. A
good lady who lived near Marietta had any amount of
fine peaches, but neither she nor we had any Hour. So
we told her to use cor?i Tneal in making the crust, as we
were bent on having a "peach cobbler." Novel as the
idea was, she made the "cobbler." And right heartily
-did we eat of it. Well, it was a great deal better than
no pie. We remained at Marietta until
Thursday, 14th.We rejoined the regiment near Gun-
town, after an absence of about nineteen days. Colonel
Barteau had returned (August loth) from his Alabama
expedition. So the regiment was "all at home" once
more.
According to promise, I will now give an account
of Colonel Barteau's trip to Alabama. The Second
Lieutenant (Dr.
J.
S. Harrison) of McKnight's Com-
pany, acting as surgeon of the regiment at the time,
went with Colonel Barteau, He (Lieutenant Harrison)
gave the following account of the expedition:
General Armstrong's Brigadecomposed of Colonels
McCulloch's and Kelly's Battalions, a Louisiana squad-
ron and two companies commanded by Hill and San-
ders
passing Bay Springs on the i8th of

July,
was-
then and there joined by Colonel Barteau with four
companies of his regimentin all about seven hundred
troopers.
Marching east four days Armstrong arrived at Moul-
ton, in North Alabama; thence by a forced march to
Courtland, he surprised and routed a Federal force
two companies of infantry and one of cavalry en-

camped at that place, capturing one hundred and thirty-
two. He also captured ten wagons, about fifty mules
and ten horses, three hundred bushels of corn, some
oats, a good lot of ammunition, commissaries enough
for seven days' rations, including several sacks of coffee
and salt, and a lot of small arms. Four of the Federals,
were wounded; the number killed unknown. Colonel
Kelly, in a skirmish below Courtland, killed about
twelve Federals; wounded unknown. Colonel Kelly re-
turned to Moulton with a few prisoners. The Federal
loss in this expeditionkilled, wounded and prisoners
was 194.*
After falling back to Moulton, General Armstrong
paroled the prisoners. A few days after this he started
back to North Mississippi, and on the loth of August
he returned to and encamped along the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, near Guntown.
*
By an oversight in me I failed to record the Confederate loss in this expe-
dition. However, I think it was light. R. R. H.
August, 1862. 207
Friday, i^fh.lKn order was read at dress-parade
requiring us to drill on horseback in the morning, on
foot in the evening, go on dress-parade once a day, and
prepare as fast as possible for a more vigorous cam-
paign.
Stinday, iph.Colonel Barteau's Regiment were paid
from May 23d to June
30th. Each private received
thirty-one dollars and twenty cents. I drew thirty-seven
dollars and sixty-four cents.
The larger portion of the Confederate Army had by
this time been sent from North Mississippi to other
pointsVicksburg, Mobile, Chattanooga, etc. And only
a small part of Grant's army was left at Corinth.
In the meantime General Armstrong was making
active preparations for an expedition into West Tennes-
see. Colonel Barteau's Regiment was now added to
his brigade. Barteau had orders to be ready to march
with ten days' rations, a few cooking vessels, and one
wagon to two companies.
F7Hday, 22d.About daylight General Armstrong's
Brigade, all cavalry, took up the line of march for West
Tennessee from near Guntown, Mississippi. After a
march of about twelve miles in a south-west direction,
he bivouacked in Pontotoc County. Colonel Barteau
left one company (G) of his regiment at Guntown for
picket duty.
Satiu'day, 2jd.After a march of about fifteen miles
the brigade bivouacked five miles north of Pontotoc,
the county site of Pontotoc County. We marched
nearly west.
Sunday, 2^th.Marching a little north of west for
about sixteen miles we bivouacked on Cypress Creek,
in Pontotoc County, near the west boundary line.,
Mo7iday, 2^th.Crossing the Tallahatchie River at
Rocky Ford, moving about sixteen miles north-west,
we bivouacked on the Tippah River. Had quite a nice
time that evening bathing in the river. As we had
teen marching for several days over very dusty roads
we needed a bath.
Ttiesday, 26th.In the saddle and moving before
light, we marched into Holly Springs, on the Missis-
sippi Central Railroad, and were forming in line when
the town clock struck nine. By the way, Holly Springs
is the nicest town
perhaps I should say citythat I

have seen in Mississippi. Here Armstrong's Brigade
was reinforced by more cavalry.* He now had per-
haps thirty-five hundred, rank and file. We had never
moved with as large a body of cavalry before. Gener-
ally speaking, they were well mounted and a fine-look-
ing body of men. Remaining in town but a few mo-
ments we moved out five miles north and bivouacked
on Coldwater River, in a beautiful lot, where the Fed-
erals had previously camped. We have been traveling
through some beautiful country
quite different from

Tishamingo and Itawamba Counties. I like the people,
as well as the country, around Holly Springs better
than any place I have been in Mississippi. They ap-
pear to be more like Tennesseans.
Wednesday, 2jth.Not starting until about three
p. M., traveling about sixteen miles north, and marching
until late in the night, we bivouacked on one prong of
The Second Missouri, First Mississippi, and Seventh Tennessee, under
Colonel (afterward General) William H. Jackson, joined Armstrong at Holly-
Springs.
Afgfst. 18G2.
209
Wolf River, within four miles of La Grange, Tennessee.
Here we rested one day.
Friday, zgth. We crossed the Memphis and Charles-
ton Railroad at La Grange and halted about noon, at
one Mr. Smith's, in Hardeman County, Tennessee. In
our native State once more! This Mr. Smith wâs a
"whole soul reb," as the following will plainly show.
Our forage master asked him if we could get something
from him to feed our horses. His answer was,
"
Do not
ask me such a question." Using his index finger, "There
is my corn field, there is my corn crib, and there is my
smoke-house; just help yourself." "I," continued he,
"
have been daily expecting the Yankees to come and
take what I have, therefore as I now have an opportu-
nity to give it to rebels, I am going to do it."
"
Per-
haps I had better have a guard placed around your
peach orchard," suggested General Armstrong."
"
No,"
replied Smith, "just let these rebels help themselves to
the peaches too." Turning to his servants he had some
of them to put fire under a large kettle in the yard, oth-
ers to fill it with water and hams, while still others he
put to baking bread. Never, during the war, saw I
men and horses fed as did this man Smith. After men
and horses had partaken of Mr. Smith's bounty, swing-
ing ourselves into the saddle again, moving out a few
miles nearly north, we bivouacked within about nine
miles of Bolivar. (Bolivar, the county site of Harde-
man County, is on the Mississippi Central Railroad.)
Saturday, joth.From some cause the brigade did
not move until after noon.* Perhaps General Arm-
"
J.
C. McAdoo and I were sent out, perhaps a mile or two from camp, to
have some bread baked. Hearing while we were out the roar of cannon and
-small arms in the direction of Bolivar, we were thus assured that the brigade
14
strong was waiting for his scouts to report or to see
what the enemy were going to do. A Federal force,
composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery, coming out
from Bolivar, was met and engaged by Colonels Slem-
mon's and McCulloch's Regiments, near Middleburg,.
between one and two o'clock p. m. The Federals were
repulsed, with the loss of seventy-one prisoners. I do
not know the Federal loss in killed and wounded, ex-
cept two colonels (one by the name of Hogg) were
killed. About eig-ht Confederates were wounded, some
thought to be mortally. One captain, who belonged to
McCulloch's Regiment, was killed. Leaving Middle-
burg a little before sunset, going around to the west of
Bolivar, we bivouacked, between nine and ten p. m.,
within three miles of Whiteville, on Clearwater Creek.
Sunday, 31st.In the saddle and moving by two
o'clock A. M., we crossed the Big Hatchee River be-
tween daylight and sunup. Passing on through woods,,
lots, and fields, we struck the Mississippi Central Rail-
road between Bolivar and Jackson, within sixteen miles,
of the latter place. Finding a few Federals guarding
some trestle-work, one of them was killed and forty-two
were taken prisoners, two of the latter being wounded.
One or two Confederates were wounded. After setting
fire to the trestle and cutting the telegraph wire, we
moved on up the railroad, the Second Tennessee in
front. When within a quarter of a mile of Medon, a
little place on the railroad, in Madison County, we were
had moved from where we left it and was then engaged in at least a heavy skir-
mish. Mounting, we put out in haste in search of our regiment. However,
we did not know whichFederals or Confederateswe would come up with
first; but on we went, until finally we came in sight of about five hundred cav-
alry drawn up in battle lin across a large field. Still in doubt, but on a nearer
approach we found, to our delight, that they were Confederates.
Septembrk, 1862. 211
fired on by the Federal pickets. A few of our regiment
with long-range guns dismounted and drove the Feder-
als from among some houses back to their breastworks,
which were made of cotton bales. Remounting his
men, Major Morton moved the Second Tennessee
around to the right and made an attack from the north-
east side, charging up into the edge of town, but found
that the Federals were well protected from that side
also.
Owing to the lateness of the hour, and perhaps think-
ing it would be too great a sacrifice of his men to at-
tempt to take their works by storm. General Armstrong
withdrew his troops between sundown and dark, after
regular firing for perhaps one and a half hours, and
bivouacked within half a mile of Medon.
The loss of the Second Tennessee was as follows
:
Company DTobe Dodd slightly wounded, William
Brown wounded and captured, and Ed. Bullock and O.
B, Harris captured; and Company E
Joe Maddox
killed and William Luster wounded. The loss of the
rest of the brigade was light. The Federal loss un-
known.
Motiday, September ist. In motion by daylight, leav-
ing the railroad and going in a north-west direction,.
General Armstrong met near Denmark, seven miles
south-west from Jackson, a Federal force composed
mostly of infantry. However, they had some cavalry
and two pieces of artillery, in all about eighteen hun-
dred strong, under Colonel Dennis. I suppose those
Federals were from Brownsville, on their way to re-
inforce Medon. The enemy had taken a strong posi-
tion in a skirt of woods on the north side of the road,
with an open field in front. The Second Tennessee
212
R. E. Hancock's Diary
was immediately deployed in line and hurled through
the open field against the Federal position, under the
leadership of our gallant Major, George H. Morton.*
We were met, however, by such a heavy fire, from both
small arms and artillery, that we were forced back to
the
margin of the field. A second charge was made
with a like result. Colonel Adams' Regiment, and per-
haps other portions of the brigade, were now thrown
forward to support our regiment, and a third time did
the Second
Tennessee face the missiles of death through
that field, without being able to drive the Federals from
their position in the woods beyond.
The
command,
"
Dismount, and prepare to fight on
foot,"
which, no doubt, should have been given at the
outset, and which was afterward familiar, was now-
given. Being
determined that our colors should not
lag behind any other on that field, Major Morton very
gallantly led the Second Tennessee "square up to the
cannon's
mouth," and after a hand-to-hand conflict, in
which some of the gunners were knocked down and
others made prisoners, the two pieces of artillery were
ours. Being assisted in this last charge (on foot) by
the Seventh Tennessee, McCulloch's and Adams' Regi-
ments, and perhaps some others, the Federals were
forced from their position, with the loss of about sev-
enty-five killed and wounded. It was said that they
carried off a number of their wounded. We captured
about two hundred and thirteen prisoners.
The Second Tennessee lost about five killed and
about fifteen wounded. Fortunately, none of Company
C was killed, though our Second Sergeant, A. B, Mc-
Knight, was severely wounded in the forehead, and had
*
On account of his being sick, Colonel Barteau was left at Guntown.
SEPTK.MBEK, IS(Y2. 213
to be left at a house near the battle-field. C. E. Han-
cock's knife and comb were shot all to pieces in the
pocket of his pants. As his knife caused the ball to
glance he was only bruised. B. F. Odom's horse was
killed. My horse was shot from under me in the sec-
ond charge.
Joel
Blankenship and
Joe
Burrow (Company E) were
wounded.
Regret that I did not note the names of all the killed
and wounded of our regiment in this as well as other
engagements, for I cannot now give them from mem-
ory.*
The Seventh Tennessee fought gallantly and suffered
considerable loss in killed and wounded ; among the lat-
ter was Major W. L. Duckworth. The above engage-
ment was afterward known as the battle of
"
Britton's
Lane."
The engagement lasted between two and three hours,
closing about three o'clock p. m. Soon after which the
brigade moved out in the direction of Big Hatchee
River. As the prisoners were afoot we had to march
very slow. Marching nearly all night we halted to feed
Since writing the above I have received, through the kindness of General
M.
J.
Wright, General F. C. Armstrong's official report, addressed to General
Price, Tupelo, Mississippi, from which I take the following
:
"
While marching toward Denmark, I encountered two regiments of in-
fantry, two squadrons of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, in which we cap-
^
tured two pieces of artillery, destroyed a portion of the train and took two
hundred and thirteen prisoners, killing and wounding, by their own statement,
over seventy-five of the enemy. My loss was small. I have recrossed to the
south side of the (Hatchee) river this morning (2d), and have this evening
paroled the prisoners. ..........
"
I have had the co-operation of Colonel Jackson, whose command deserves
an equal share of credit with my own. . .

. It would be unjust to
make distinctions. Each one has nobly done his duty during the expedition.
I move southward toward Summerville in the morning. Dis-
patches via Holly Springs will reach me. I can strike across whenever needed."
214
R. R. Hancock's Diary.
within two miles of the river about two hours before
day.
Tuesday, 2d.Crossing Big Hatchee about ten miles
below where we crossed going up, General Armstrong
halted a little before noon to let his men rest and parole
the prisoners. And by this time we needed rest, for we
had been either marching or fighting almost constantly
for the last three days and nights, except Sunday night
near Medon.
Wednesday
,
jd. Feeling somewhat refreshed after a
rest of about eighteen hours, we marched on through
Whiteville, and as General Armstrong wanted us to
take another night ride we halted and fed near where
we had bivouacked on Saturday night before. Swing-
ing ourselves into the saddle again, after a short rest,
and moving out nearly south, we bivouacked within five
miles of La Grange about midnight.
Thursday, ^th.As we passed on through La Grange
(covered with dust so that one could hardly tell whether
we were white men or black) the good ladies cheered
us on our way with sweet music, both vocal and instru-
mental. And we needed something to cheer us up, for,
besides being dusty, we were weary and hungry. (By
the way, I have my opinion of any man who does not
love women and music.^ For just listen again: after we
had halted about a mile from town to feed and eat a
snack,
if
we could get it, a good lady sent some of us, as
a present, a dish of boiled and fried meat, Irish potatoes,
cabbage, cornbread, biscuit, and, to cap the climax, a
box of nice peaches. And I assure you, dear reader,
that we were in a condition to appreciate and enjoy that
treat, for remember that we had started out from Gun-
September, 1862. 215
town, fourteen days before this, with ten days' rations,
so it is not necessary for one to understand algebra or
geometry in order to calculate that our rations had been
out for the last four days. Moving only about three
miles after dinner we bivouacked near Wolf River, on
the same ground where we rested August 29th. We
were now in Mississippi again, three-fourths of a mile
from the State line. And here we had the pleasure of
resting for two days.
Sunday, yth. (We did not march back to the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad along the same route that we came
out to this point, going a more direct route and consid-
erably further north.) Moving out early in the morn-
ing we halted and fed at Salem. After which we moved
on and bivouacked within six miles of Ripley, in Tippah
County.
Monday, 8th.Moving on through Ripley, the county
seat of Tippah County, we bivouacked within twelve
miles of Baldwin a little after midnig^ht.
Tuesday, gth.We marched on to, and encamped at
Baldwin. Our wagons and camp equipage had been
moved from Guntown up to the former place.
As previously mentioned, we left Captain Puryear's
Company at Guntown when we started on the expedi-
tion into West Tennessee. Though this company was
not by any means idle during our absence, for besides
taking care of camp equipage they were kept busy
scouting and picketing. While out on one of these
scouts with his company Captain Puryear, in connection
with perhaps two or three other companies of cavalry,
dashed into Rienzi on the 26th of August, taking the
Federal infantry encamped there completely by surprise.
21G
I>'. R. Hancock's Iuaky.
and was driving everything before them when a heavy-
force of Federal cavalry came dashing into town from
an opposite direction, and soon the Federals and Con-
federates were so mixed and mingled together under
such a cloud of dust* that it was for a few moments dif-
ficult to tell friend from foe. Luckily, however, Captain
Puryear led his men out with the loss of only two (I.
J.
Barrett and William
J.
Armstrong) of his company
captured. Z. B. Ramsey's horse fell and he (Ramsey)
lay as though he was dead until the Federals passed ; he
then crawled to the bushes, and that night he gave a cit-
izen fifty dollars to pilot him out of danger. When he
got to camps the next day there was great rejoicing, for
he was thought to be either killed or captured.
Notwithstanding we had just returned from an expe-
dition of nineteen days, we were ordered to cook three
days' rations and prepare for another expedition. Gen-
eral Price, from the Trans-Mississippi Department, was
now near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad with a consid-
erable force of infantry and artillery, f on his way tO'
luka. He wanted Armstrong's Brigade to go with him.
Wednesday, loth.Our brigade (Armstrong's) took
the field again. After a march of about twelve miles
we bivouacked at Marietta a little before noon. Leav-
ing our tents in care of the Quartermaster, our wagons
and cooking vessels moved with us.
Thursday, nth.Moving four miles on the Jacinto
road, Armstrongf's Brigâde halted and cooked three
days' rations. General Price sent for one regiment of
Armstrong's Brigade to act as advance guard for his
'In speaking to the writer about the above affair, Clabe West, who was in
that daring charge, said, "The Lord and the dust were all that saved us."'
t
Estimated at twelve thousand.
Skptrmukk. 18()2.
217'
(Price's) army. Colonel Barteau's Regiment being de-
tailed for said duty, returned to Marietta and there re-
ported to General Price, who ordered us to bivouac two
miles from Marietta on the road to Bay Springs.
Friday, 12th.Moving on in advance of Price to Bay
Springs, thence going two miles north, our regiment
bivouacked on the road leading from Fulton to luka.
The rest of Armstronof's Brigâde moved on in the direc-
tion of luka so as to guard Price's left flank. Had a
nice rain in the evening, which was needed to lay the
dust.
Saturday, ijik.In the saddle and moving before
light, after a march of twelve miles we halted and fed.
Swinging ourselves into the saddle again after a short
rest, and still keeping in advance of General Price, our
regiment bivouacked within five miles of luka, while
Price camped only a short distance behind us.
Sunday, i^tJi. As Armstrong passed on our regi-
ment joined the brigade again about daylight. From
our bivouac Armstrong, moving on to and across the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad about two miles east
of luka, thence in a circuitous route along the north
side of town, marched into luka from the north-west,
while Price approached from the south-west. The Fed-
eral rear guard had passed out of town about an hour
and a half before Armstrong marched in. So he took
possession of the place without the firing of a gun.
General Price had bên expecting to capture the Feder-
als stationed at luka, but to his chag-fin he found the
place vacated. Armstrong's Brigade was deployed in
line on the north side of town. We then had the pleas-
ure of hearing some splendid music from Wheeler's
218
R. R. Hancock's Dtahy.
brass band. We captured quite a lot of flour, corn,
salt, crackers, bacon, beef cattle, etc., the whole thought
to be worth about two thousand dollars. Armstrong's
Brigade camped two miles north of town. Our compa-
ny was sent out to picket the Eastport road. The Fed-
erals withdrew to Burnsville, the next station on the
railroad, nine miles west of luka.
Monday, i^th.Our company was called in from
picket duty in the evening. As it was reported that the
Federals were advancing on us, our brigade mounted
and formed in line of battle near our camp. Remain-
ing in line until a little after dark, we then dismounted
and tied up again. No enemy made their appearance.
Ttiesday, i6th.Our company was sent out to picket
the Eastport road again. A part of our brigade met,
engaged and routed a Federal force two miles west of
luka. The Confederate loss was one horse killed and
one man had his leg cut off by a cannon ball. Do not
know the Federal loss.
Wednesday, ijth.Our company was called in from
picket duty early in the morning. Our regiment moved
to luka, thence down the Burnsville road three or four
miles, and back to luka again.
It was reported that the Federals were being rein-
forced at Burnsville by rail. A little after dark a part of
our brigade (including our regiment) mounted and
moved out about four miles on the Jacinto road, where
we halted and remained right there in the road until
next morning. And to add to the unpleasantness of
our situation it rained.
Thursday, i8th.Returning to luka we rested until
night. Our regiment was sent out on picket about
dark. As General Price was expecting the Federals to
September, ]>*fi2. 219
advance on him, regiments were sent out on picket in
place of companies.
Friday, igth.The Federals were now advancing on
General Price from Burnsville, and he was preparing to
give them a warm reception. As our regiment had
been on duty for the last two nights, we were needing
rest badly, so being relieved from picket duty about
noon, we moved back to luka to take the needed rest.
About nine thousand Federals, under General Rose-
crans, were met and engaged by a part of General
Price's army, under General Little, late in the evening,
about one mile and a half west of luka. After a hot
engagement of about one hour and a half, the Federals
were repulsed. As it was now about dark the Confed-
erates did not pursue, so the firing ceased. I do not
know the exact loss, though it was considerable on both
sides.
Since writing the above I have found the following
account of Price's movements, which I take from the
"Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," by
ex-President Davis, pages -^^6 and
387,
Vol. II:
General Price learned that Rosecrans was moving to cross the Ten-
nessee and join Buell; he therefore marched from Tupelo and reached
luka on the 19th [14th] of September.
His cavalry advance found the place occupied by a force which re-
treated toward Corinth, abandoning a considerable amount of stores.
The cavalry pickets had reported that a heavy force was moving
from the South toward luka on the Jacinto road, to meet which Gen-
eral Little had advanced with his Missouri brigade, an Arkansas bat-
talion, the Third Louisiana Infantry, and the Texas Legion. It
proved to be a force commanded by General Rosecrans in person. A
bloody contest ensued, and the latter was driven back with the loss of
nine guns.
Our own loss was very serious. General Maury states that the
Third Louisiana Regiment lost half its men, that Whitfield's legion
220 E. 11. Hancock's Diary.
suffered heavily, and adds that these two regiments and the Arkansas
battalion of about a hundred men had charged and captured the ene-
my's guns. In this action General Henry Little fell, an officer of ex-
traordinary merit, distinguished on many fields, and than whom there
was none whose loss could have been more deeply felt by his Missouri
brigade, as well as by the whole army, whose admiration he had so
often attracted by gallantry and good conduct.
It was afterward ascertained that this movement of Rosecrans was
intended to be made in concert with one by Grant [Ord] moving from
the west (about five thousand strong) but the former had been beaten
before the latter arrived.
On the same day Price received a letter from General Ord inform-
ing him that "Lee's army had been destroyed at Antietam
;
that, there-
fore, the rebellion must soon terminate, and that in order to spare the
further effusion of blood, he gave him this opportunity to lay down
his arms." Price replied, correcting the rumor about Lee's army,
thanking Ord for his kind feeling, and promised to "lay down his
arms whenever Mr. Lincoln should acknowledge the independence of
the Southern Confederacy, and not sooner."
On that night General Price held a council of war, at which it was-
agreed on the next morning to fall back and make a junction with
Van Dorn,* it being now satisfactorily shown that the enemy was
holding the line on our left instead of moving to reinforce Buell.
Our loss, according to General Price's official report,
was as follows
:
Hebert's Brigade lost in the action, sixty-three killed and two hun-
dred and ninety-nine wounded; Martin's Brigade, twenty-two killed
and ninety-five wounded;* total, eighty-five killed and three hundred
and ninety-four wounded; Aggregate, four hundred and seventy-nine.
According to Rosecran's official report the Federal
loss was as follows :
Commissioned officers killed, six; wounded, thirty-nine; missing,,
onetotal, forty-six ; enlisted men killed, one hundred and thirty-
eight; wounded, five hundred and fifty-nine; missing, thirty-ninetotal,,
seven hundred and thirty-six ;t aggregate, seven hundred and eighty-two..
'
Who was then on the Missis.sippi Central Railroad, in the vicinity of Oxford..
tThe writer is under obligations to General Marcus
J.
W/ight, who is now
(1887) superintending the publication of Rebellion Records, Washington, D. C...
for the above reports.
The writer thinks that the above reports are very
good evidence that Northern writers err when they
claim that Rosecrans captured one thousand of Price's
army at luka.
Satui^day, zotJi. General Price having decided to
abandon luka and retrace his steps to the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, moved out early in the morning on the
Fulton Bay Springs road. Armstrong's Brigade cov-
ered the retreat. By seven a. m. all the Confederates
had withdrawn from luka except our regiment, which
was drawn up in line on the north-west side of the
town, awaiting the approach of the Federals. We did
not have to wait long, for by seven-thirty a. m. they
moved up and planted a battery on a rise to our left
front, in easy range of us. From this position they
soon opened fire, but I am glad to say that their pieces
were elevated too high to do us any harm, some of their
balfs going perhaps half a mile to our rear. From the
noise to our rear we thought one ball struck a house.
They surely must either have had some bad gunners or
been aiming at some imaginary force to our rear.
About eight a. m. our regiment moved on back through
luka, thence along the Fulton-Bay Springs road, halting
and forming again after passing several other lines.
The regiments of Armstrong's Brigade kept alternate-
ly falling back and forming in line a few hundred yards
to the rear of each other, so as to be ready for the Fed-
erals should they at any time make a dash upon our rear
guard. The Federals, however, pursued us very cau-
tiously and slowly, coming up near enough for our rear
guard to take a few shots at them occasionally. After
falling back thus for about ten miles, coming to where
the road crossed a small hill, we found four pieces of
222
artillery supported by infantry and cavalry. It was a
splendid position. The artillery was placed so as to be
able to rake the road for some distance to the rear,
while the infantry were lying just behind the crest of the
hill, so as to be concealed from the approaching Feder-
als. On came the dismounted cavalry, driving our rear-
guard before them. When within about two hundred
yards of our artillery they were greeted with such a blaze
of musketry and artillery that they retreated somewhat
faster than they had advanced. They were so well satis-
fied with their reception at this place that they did not
trouble us any more during the retreat from luka.
Our loss in this affair was one killed and two or three
wounded, and the Federal loss was considerably more,
though I do not know the exact number.
We camped eighteen miles from luka and within six
miles of Bay Springs.
COMMENTARY.
There had been a great deal of guessing among us
soldiers in reference to the object that General Price
had in view in making this trip to luka, and also in ref-
erence to where we would go from there. Some thought
we were going to cross the Tennessee River, either at
Chickasaw or Florence, Alabama, and go on into Middle
Tennessee to aid General Bragg, who had gone from
Chattanooga on through Middle Tennessee, and was by
this time in Kentucky. The fact that our wagons left
luka before we did, with orders to go to Tuscumbia,
Alabama, is a strong proof that General Price did ex-
pect to make such a move as the above-named. I am
confident that Price was sent on this expedition to aid
Bragg in some way, if it was nothing more than to at-
tract the attention of the Federals along the Memphis
and Charleston road, in order to thus prevent them
from being sent by rail to aid General Buell, who was
following Bragg in Kentucky. At any rate, our regi-
ment was very much disappointed and somewhat cha-
grined at having to turn our faces southward again, for
we were very anxious to get back into our native State
once more.
Perhaps, after sending off his wagons to Tuscumbia,
General Price decided that it would be useless to at-
tempt to cross the Tennessee with a superior force at
his heels, and consequently turned southward.
Since writing the above I find the following, which I
copy from the
"
Life of General U, S. Grant," page i88 :
On the loth of September, Price, having reached Northern Missis-
sippi with his army of about twelve thousand men, started toward
luka, where he arrived on the 19th (14th), having driven in a small
detachment of the national troops from Jacinto and Chewalla (luka).
He made a feint of following Bragg in his northern march, in the
hope that Grant would pursue him, and thus leave Corinth an easy
prey to Van Dorn. But Grant, whose headquarters were at Jackson,.
Tennessee, was too sagacious to fall into such a trap.
Knowing from his scouts that Van Dorn could not reach Corinth
for four or five days yet, he determined to crush Price by sending out
a heavy force under Ord and Rosecrans, who had succeeded Pope.
He therefore threw Ord toward luka, on the north side of the rail-
road, reinforcing him by Ross' Brigade from Bolivar, bringing his
force up to about five thousand men, and directed Rosecrans, with
about nine thousand men in all, to move toward luka by the way of
Jacinto and Fulton, hoping thus to cut off the Confederate retreat,,
and to concentrate a force sufficient to overwhelm Price.
This combined movement commenced at an early hour on the i8th
of September, and although the distances to be overcome did not ex-
ceed in either case thirty miles, the Confederates discovered it before
it was fairly executed. For some reason not satisfactorily explained
Rosecrans failed to occupy the Fulton road. The junction of Ord
and Rosecrans did not take place till after the latter had had a des-
perate and only partially successful engagement with Price on the
224
R. H. Hancock's Diaky.
19th, in front of luka. Rosecrans' troops fought well, but owing to
the exceedingly difficult nature of the ground he was not able to
bring his whole command into action.
The Confederates were defeated after a sanguinary battle, and un-
der cover of night retreated southward by the Fulton road. Their
loss* is stated by Pollard the historian "at about eight hundred killed
and wounded," not counting over a thousand prisoners left in the
hands of the victors.
On the 2 2d Grant ordered the pursuit to be discontinued, and di-
rected Rosecrans to return to Corinth, where he arrived on the 26th.
Ord was sent to Bolivar, and Hurlbut in the direction of Pocahontas.
Sunday, 21st. Moving on to Bay Springs, there
General Price turned west and bivouacked on the Bald-
win road, while our regiment, being detached from Arm-
strong's Brigade, moved on eight miles south of Bay
Springs and camped on the Fulton road. I suppose
we were thus scattered in order to obtain forage and
rations.
Monday, 22d.Turning westward, moving in the di-
rection of Baldwin, our regiment bivouacked within five
miles of that place. As it was only twenty-two miles
from Bay Springs to Baldwin, I suppose that by this
time the infantry and artillery were encamped along the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, at or near the latter place.
Titesdav, 2jd.Our regiment went back to guard
Walker's bridge, which spanned the Tombigbee River
at the crossing of the road from Baldwin to Bay Springs.
Halting- at the Widow Walker's, within half a mile of
the bridge, we made that the base of our guard stand.
As we left luka with only about one day's rations, and
as our wagons had not yet returned from Alabama, we
had, therefore, to get our rations as best we could
through the country. Accordingly, our company were
*
Strange the writer gives our loss and not the Federal.
allowed to scatter out through the neighborhood in
search of rations, with orders to report back next morn-
ing.
Wednesday, 2^th.According to orders our company
reassembled at Mrs. Walker's to assist in guarding the
bridge and to give others an opportunity to "hunt
grub."
Thursday, 2^th.Late in the evening we left Mrs.
Walker's and went to Baldwin, where we found our
wagons again. They had come round by the way of
Russellville, Alabama, and Fulton, Mississippi.
Friday, 26th.Our regiment went out three and a
half miles north-west of Baldwin to picket the Boone-
ville road.
Saturday, 2'/th.Leaving a small guard on the Boone-
ville road, our regiment returned to camps and drew
two months' pay,
July
and August; also a bounty of
fifty dollars.
A Federal scout came down and captured two of our
pickets, Lieutenant A. W. Lipscomb and Private A. A.
Robertson, from Company G. After being fired at a
few times by the rest of our picket, the Federals
went
back toward Corinth. This little affair created some
excitement in camps, especially among the wagoners
and Company
"Q." *
The wagon train moved out in
a hurry, and did not make any halt until it arrived at
Guntown. The regiment mounted and moved out be-
yond the picket stand. Finding no Federals we re-
turned to the same camps, minus the wagon train.
*
Company
"Q"
was composed of from five to ten men from each company,
who, on account of not being able for duty themselves or having horses not
able for duty, remained with the wagon train when the rest of the regiment
went out on scouts or other active service.
15
226 E. R. Hancocz's Diary.
Sunday, 28th. Our regiment moved to CarroUville.
There we met our wagons, and were ordered to cook
three days' rations. "Old" CarroUville was a small
cross-roads village, some three or four miles north-west
of Baldwin, west of the railroad.
Monday, 2gth.In the saddle early in the morning
we moved northward, leaving Booneville to our right.
The advance guard came up with and fired on the Fed-
eral picket within three miles of Rienzi, a station on
the railroad between Booneville and Corinth. The regi-
ment then turned back and bivouacked some three miles
west of Booneville.
Tuesday, joth.
A Federal scout followed us out

some distance from Rienzi. We made an attempt ta
capture them by moving back, a little before day, in a
circuitous route, so as to come into the road in their
rear, but we failed, as they had passed back before we
came into the road which they were on. The regiment
returned to camps at CarroUville.*
Wednesday, October ist.A part of our regiment
moved out about three miles north of CarroUville,
where they met, engaged and repulsed a Fêderal scout,
with the loss of eight killed and two prisoners. I do
not know how many were wounded. Our loss two
*
On returning to camps, greatly to owx joy and surprise, we found C. F.
Thomas there. He was a member of our company, whom we had not even
heard from since he left us at Burnsville in April to go to Middle Tennessee
with Morgan. He was right from home. We were glad to learn that the Fed-
erals had left that part of Tennessee which we still called home. He brought
eight recruits for our company, and, still better, he said eleven more would be
in next day. So we had a real jollification in camp that evening. As mail
communication had been cut off, we had not even heard from home in some
time. That is one reason why we were so rejoiced at hearing from there. And,
by the way, our company was needing recruits, for we only mustered about
thirty men before these twenty recruits came.
October, 1862.
227
wounded, one (William R. Robertson, Company G)
mortally. The two prisoners were picked up by Lieu-
tenant B. H. Moore and our Chaplain, S. C. Talley
(Company G), after a hard race of some three or four
miles. The prisoners were from the Seventh Kansas,
known as the Kansas
"
Jayhawkers." It was said
that they took no prisoners. And from the following it
would appear that they did not expect quarter, for when
Talley called out,
"
If you will halt and surrender you
shall not be hurt !
"
they immediately drew rein, and one
of them replied, ''Had I known that I would have
stopped long ago.''
Our company double-quicked for about two miles,
but it was all over before we got there. After the regi-
ment returned to Carrollville the same old orders were
issuedcook three days' rations.
Thursday, 2d.Marching on through Booneville the
regiment halted and fed, between sundown and dark, in
Jlienzi. The Federals had evacuated the place in the
forenoon, going west toward Ripley. We found Rienzi
to be tolerably well fortified. After moving out about
five miles nearly west, we bivouacked on the Ripley
road.
General Price, having left the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road about the 26th of September, had by this time
formed a junction with Van Dorn at Ripley, and with
their combined forces, about twenty-two thousand
strong, they were moving on Rosecrans at Corinth.
Barteau's Regiment, being on the extreme Confederate
right, still operated along the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road.
Friday, jd.After moving about three miles further
along the Ripley road, a Federal scout made their ap-
228
.
pearance in the road to our rear. A few shots from our
rear guard made them disappear. Then, turning back:
and meeting our wagons, we encamped some six or
eight miles west of Booneville. Generals Price and
Van Dorn attacked Corinth, and after hard fighting:
they succeeded in driving Rosecrans, before nightfall,,
inside of his fortifications, with the loss of two guns.
Saturday, 4th.After making several desperate at
tempts, but finally failing to take Corinth by storming
the Federal works. Price and Van Dorn were forced tO'
raise the siege, from the fact that McPherson's Brigade
was coming to the assistance of Rosecrans, while Major-
General Hurlbut was moving on the Confederate rear
with a large Federal force from Bolivar.
The following account of the Battle of Corinth is-
from the "Life of Grant," page 190:
On the 2d of October Van Dorn and Price, with three divisions^
advanced thence toward Corinth by the way of Chewalla.
Rosecrans had withdrawn his outposts upon the first appearance of
the enemy, and formed his Hne over a mile in front of the fortifi-
cations. The Confederates, advancing on the Chewalla road, soon
drove in Stanley's advanced brigade, which, being supported by an-
other, made head for a time. But the Confederates, continually de-
veloping their front, soon hotly engaged Davies' Division also, and
finally the entire line. Pushing their attack with great vigor they
finally compelled Rosecrans to fall back, with the loss of two guns,,
and to occupy the fortifications.
At an early hour on the morning of the 4th the action was re-
newed by the Confederates, who opened upon the Union lines with
their batteries, and at half-past nine o'clock Price assaulted the Union,
center with desperate determination. A storm of canister and grape
was poured upon the Confederate columns, but with only partial ef-
fect. Cheered on by their officers, they renewed the attack, now be-
come general, and soon succeeded in breaking Davies' Division and
in forcing the head of their column into the town. But Rosecrans-
concentrated a heavy fire of artillery upon them, and pushing forward
October, 1862. 229
the Tenth Ohio and Fifth Minnesota Regiments, followed closely by
Sullivan's Ikigade, succeeded in driving the Confederates beyond the
works and in re-establishing Davies' line. In the meanwhile Van
Dorn had formed the right of his army into column of attack, and
"under cover of a heavy skirmish line was leading it in person to the
assault of the Union left. But Rosecrans was ready on that side
also. Stanley's Division and the heavy guns of Battery Robinet,
manned by the veterans of the First Regular Infantry, made an an-
swer to the Confederates' musketry, and with round shot, shell, grape
and canister played dire havoc among the advancing troops. But
still they held their forward course till within fifty yards of our na-
tional works. Here they received a deadly rifle fire, and after strug-
gling bravely for a minute to face it, they were compelled to fall
^back. Again the Confederate leaders led their men forward to the
very ditclies and parapets of the defenses, but again were they bloodily
repulsed ; this time, however, to be followed by the gallant soldiers of
Ohio and Missouri, who, seeing the enemy falter, poured over the
works and drove them, routed and broken, back to the woods from
-which they had advanced. The battle had spent its fury; the Con-
federates were no longer able to make head, and lost no time in with-
drawing their disorganized battalions to a place of safety.
They left dead upon the field fourteen hundred and twenty officers
and men and more than five hundred wounded, besides losing twenty-
two hundred and forty-eight prisoners, forty-one colors and two guns.
The next day Rosecrans, reinforced by McPherson's Brigade, began
the pursuit, but he had lost eighteen hours, and could not regain the
advantage which had thus escaped.
Here, as at luka, the Federal writer fails to give the
loss on his side ; however, in this case I suppose that
the Federal loss in killed and wounded was less than the
Confederate, as the Federals were behind breastworks.
Van Dorn and Price fell back in the direction of Holly
Springs.
Barteau's Regiment, moving only a short distance,
encamped again four miles west of Booneville, and
cooked three days' rations.
Sutiday, ^th. In the saddle and moving by sunup,
the regiment marched on through Rienzi and Danville.
(The latter is a small place about midway between Ri-
enzi and Corinth, on the west side of the railroad.)
From Danville, moving on in the direction of Corinth,,
crossing Tuscumbia River, we dashed into a Federal
camp within three miles of Corinth, capturing one wag-
on and team and nine prisoners. After a right hot little
skirmish we withdrew. Our loss was one man killed
and two wounded; one of them (Nelse Willard) be-
longing to McKnight's Company, was only slightly
wounded.
A few horses were wounded
;
one belonging to a mem-
ber of McKnight's Company was shot through the ear.
I not do know the Federal loss in killed or wounded.
We came back and bivouacked within four miles of
camp.
Monday, 6th.After we returned to camp, at the
same place we started from the morning before, Captain
McKnight left us to go into Middle Tennessee after re-
cruits for his company. Two of his company went
home with him. A little after sundown our company,
now under Lieutenant Turney, went out three miles
from camp to picket the Rienzi road.
Tuesday, yt/i. After our company was called in from
picket duty the regiment moved back to, and encamped
at, Carrollville.
Wednesday, 8th In the evening our company went
out six miles from Carrollville to picket the Blackland
road.
Thursday, gth.The wagon train and Company
Q
moved down and encamped one mile south-west of Gun-
town. After our company came in from picket duty the
regiment moved down to, and bivouacked at, Baldwin.
October, 1862.
231
Friday, loth. The regiment moved down to where
the wagons had encamped the day before. It rained in
the evening and turned cold, which made it very disa-
greeable, as we had no tents. Guntown is the next sta-
tion below Baldwin, and the next station above Saltillo,
on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
The Second Tennessee remained in camp near Gun-
town for one month. That was longer than usual for us
to remain in the same camp. It will be seen by an ex-
amination of the preceding pages that our regiment had
been in very active service from the time we started on
our West Tennessee expedition until we went into
camp at Guntown. The regiment were by no means
idle during their stay at Guntown, for picketing was a
daily duty, and scouting parties were frequently sent
out. There were no other troops camped near Gun-
town at this time. In fact, a few regiments of cavalry
scattered about at different points, and perhaps a few
pieces of artillery, were all the troops that now remained
in North-east Mississippi. Price and Van Dorn fell back
along the Mississippi Central Railroad in North-west
Mississippi.
Saturday, 2^th.It turned cold and snowed some,
nearly covering the ground. But, as good luck would
have it, the regiment drew new tents the day before,
and also one blanket to each man. But, as bad luck
would have it, it fell to my lot to goon picket* that even-
*
I was not on picket any more for seven months, as the following will show:
About this time a member of our company, A. Barrett, was sick with the ty-
phoid fever. After trying nearly all over the neighborhood, finally one Mr.
Robison, who lived in Guntown, agreed that we might take the sick man to his
house. So on Sunday, November 2d, we moved A. Barrett to Mr. Robison's,
and I remained with him, as he was very sick and needed a nurse.
He grew worse and worse-, until finally, about the 1 1 th of November, he be-
ing to remain until the next. So we had a very cold,
disagreeable night to be out on picket.
Szmday, November loth.The regiment moved about
four miles and encamped near Saltillo, where they
came speechless. He did not even whisper for three long weeksthey appeared
long to me. Our surgeon quit coming to see him, thinking it useless. I re-
mained with him all the time, both day and night. Lieutenant Turney, who
was in command of our company at that time (Captain McKnight had gone home
after recruits), did not only send two or three of the boys up to Mr. Robison's
nearly every night to assist me in sitting up with Barrett, but he frequently
came himself.
Finally, beginning to improve by the last of November, he spoke again for
the first time on the 2d of December, and, contrary to the expectation of all, he
got well, and is now (January, l886) a stout man. About nine o'clock A. M.,
December 15th, hearing a noise and looking out to see the cause, I saw, to my
great astonishment, that the house (Mr. Robison's) was surrounded by Federal
cavalry. That was the first notice that I had had of that Federal scout. Soon
a trooper stepped in, and marching me out, placed me in the care of the Fed-
eral guards. Barrett was improving, but as he was not well enough to be
moved they did not trouble him. This Federal scout was composed of two
regiments of infantry, two pieces of artillery, and one battalion of cavalry.
Moving on south, they bivouacked one mile beyond Saltillo. Moving on back
from Saltillo, by the way of Marietta and Jacinto, they arrived at Corinth Dec.
19th. On this trip they picked up here and there sixty-one prisoners, about
half of them being citizens. We were placed in a large house with some other
prisoners, in all about one hundred and fourteen. As General Forrest was now
in West Tennessee tearing up the railroad, the Federals could not conveniently
send prisoners North; therefore we were paroled on the 25th of December.
The next day I and about forty others were sent to luka by rail, and there
turned loose to take care of ourselves. From luka, going by the way of Bay
Springs, I arrived at Guntown December 29th. Finding Barrett considerably
better, and thinking that he would soon be able to ride, I decided to take him
to my uncle's (Ben Hancock's) in Franklin County, Alabama. But I had to first
go to camp after our horses. On December 31st I found the Second Tennessee
encamped one and a half miles south-east of Okolona, some thirty-six miles
south of Guntown. Returning to Guntown with our horses January 6th,
1863,
Barrett and I started the next day to Alabama.
We arrived at my uncle's, some seventy miles east of Guntown, January 9th.
Barrett, remaining in Alabama about five weeks, started to rejoin his company
February i6th.
I went back to camp several times while I was a paroled prisoner; however,
I spent most of the time among my relatives in Alabama. Being notified May
22d that I was exchanged, I started to camp the 23d, finding the regiment en-
camped seven and a hilf miles north of Okolona, at Camp Rogers, May 25th.
December, 18(52. 233
remained another month, scouting and picketing as
usual.
Thursday, 20th. Captain McKnight. who had been
liome after recruits, returned to camp, bringing a num-
iDer of recruits for his company. Thirty-one arrived the
day before,
Thursday, December gth.The regiment left Saltillo
to go to Okolona, and arrived at the latter place Decem-
ber loth, encamping one mile and a half south-east of
town, Okolona is in Chickasaw County, quite a differ-
ent looking country to Tishamingo and Itawamba Coun-
ties, The fine black prairie land around Okolona is
êry productive, and plenty of forage suits cavalry.
General Grant, now bent on the capture of Vicksburg,
having left Jackson, Tennessee, November 4th, was
moving a heavy force along the Mississippi Cefttral Rail-
road, establishing his headquarters at Oxford, Mississip-
pi, on the 5th of December. General John
C. Pember-
ton,* who was in command of the Confederate army in
front of Grant, had fallen back to Grenada.
General Sherman, who commanded the right wing of
Grant's army at Memphis, was to descend the river by
"transports, with the gunboat fleet as a convoy, com-
Tnanded by Admiral Porter, and to attack Vicksburg by
the 29th of December. While Grant himself was to
move rapidly on the Confederates to the north and east
of Vicksburg, and to take part, if necessary, in the re-
duction of the place.
About daybreak on the morning of the 20th of De-
'Cember, Van Dorn, executing a brilliant cavalry opera-
tion, rushed upon Holly Springs, capturing the place
with an immense quantity of property, valued at over
*
He had superseded Van Doru.
one million five hundred thousand dollars, taking with
him what he could carry and destroying the remainder.
About this time General Forrest, who had crossed out
of Middle Tennessee, was playing havoc with Grant's
communications along the railroad in West Tennessee.
Grant being thus forced to fall back, his part of the
campaign had failed. On the 20th, the very day on
which Van Dorn and Forrest struck the btow which
compelled Grant to fall back and abandon his part of
the joint undertaking, Sherman took his departure from
Memphis with tvyenty thousand troops in transports.
After Porter's convoy of gunboats, part at Friar's
Point and the remainder at the mouth of the Yazoo,
and the transports from Helena were added, Sherman's
force was then at least thirty thousand.
Leaving A.
J.
Smith's Division at Milliken's Bend,
with instructions to send one brigade to break up the
railroad leading from Vicksburg to Shreveport, Louisi-
ana, Sherman proceeded on the 26th to the mouth of
the Yazoo, and up that river to Johnson's plantation,
some thirteen miles, and there disembarked. Here A.

J.
Smith's Division rejoined him on the night of the
27th. On the 29th he attempted to take by storm
Haines' Bluff (a strongly fortified place nine miles north-
east of Vicksburg)
;
being unsuccessful, he was forced
to withdraw his troops, with a loss in killed, wounded,.
and prisoners amounting to nearly two thousand men.
On the 2d of January, 1863, he placed his troops on
board the transports, and the fleet sailed down to the
mouth of the Yazoo, where he learned for the first time
what had befallen Grant. All further attempts against
Vicksburg for the present were abandoned, and the en-
tire force left the Yazoo and returned to Milliken's Bend
December, 1862. 235-
on the Mississippi.* Thus ended somewhat ingloriously
the secondf campaign against Vicksbiirg.
The Confederates were jubilant after this victory. It
was undoubtedly a great triumph. General Pemberton
felt proud that he had baffled Grant in person, compell-
ing him to retreat, and that he had temporarily, at least,
saved Vicksburg by the defeat of the greatest of Grant's
Lieutenants.
We will now go back a little and noti<:e the move-
ments of the Second Tennessee.
A Federal scout, composed of two regiments of in-
fantry, a battalion of cavalry, and two pieces of artil-
lery, that had descended the Mobile and Ohio Railroad
from Corinth, entered Guntown about nine a. m., on the
15th of December, and there the writer was captured,
as previously mentioned. Camping that night one mile
south of Saltillo, the Federals turned back the next day,
arriving at Corinth the 19th.
On learning through his scouts that the Federals were
at Saltillo, Colonel Barteau sent a detachment of the
Second Tennessee from his camp at Okolona up in that
direction under Lieutenant Turney (Company C).
In the meantime General Grant had thrown a portion
of his cavalry (from the Mississippi Central Railroad)
out in the direction of Okolona. This was just what
General Van Dorn desired, for he was now (the 19th)
moving with about two thousand five hundred cavalry
to strike Grant's communications a heavy blow at Holly
Springs, as previously mentioned ; and as he did not
wish to interfere with this Federal force which was mov-
*The above, which is an account of the second campaign against Vicksburg,
I get from the
"
Life of Grant,"
pp.
196 to 210.
t
Farragut and Williams had made a previous campaign against Vicksburg
by the way of New Orleans.
236 B. K. Hancock's Diary.
ing out of his way, he ordered Colonel Barteau to fall
iDack from Okolona. Therefore the Second Tennessee
fell back about six miles in the direction of Aberdeen,
-on the 20th. That afternoon our Colonel sent about fif-
teen men, under Captain N. Oswell (Company A), back
to Okolona to guard some stores and watch the move-
ments of the Federals if they should make their appear-
ance at that place. Before reaching Okolona Captain
Oswell met Lieutenant Turney, who reported that he
had been up in thd neighborhood of Guntown and that
the Federals had gone back to Corinth. Not knowing
that another Federal force was afield from the west, the
Captain did not now apprehend any dajiger, therefore
did not throw out any pickets that night. The Federals
dashed into Okolona very early the next morning and
captured the entire squad.
Captain N. Oswell, Wallace Wilson, and
J. J.
Sutton
(Company A),
J.
L. McGan (Company B),
J.
H. Sneed
and
J.
W. Stephens (Company C), Simon Elliott (Com-
pany D),
J.
P. Oglesby and
Jef
Piper (Company E),
James Jackson (Company F), and Billy Nichol were, I
think, among the captured. The Federals paroled our
boys* and left immediately. The former had heard of
Van Dorn's movement and were consequently very much
alarmed.
Our regiment moved back to their camp one mile and
-a half south-east of Okolona on the 2 2d.
Thursday,
January /, 186^.The first of the new
year found Barteau's Regiment still encamped near
Okolona. McKnight's Company, which had been re-
*They were sent to Jackson, Miss., and remained there until Grant captured
that place on May 14th, 1863. Then after remaining at Demopolis, Ala., about
two months, they were exchanged.
March, 1863.
237"
ceiving recruits from Tennessee for the last three
months, now numbered about one hundred and fifteen,
men, the largest company in the regiment. They were
in good health and fine spirits, and, I will add, well'
mounted.
Saturday, Jist. Major-General Van Dorn, who was
now somewhat famous on account of his brilliant affair
at Holly Springs, arrived at Okolona with three brigades
of cavalry and four pieces of artillery. His three bri-
gades were commanded by Armstrong, Whitfield, and
Cosby, and the battery by King. He was from West-
ern Mississippi, and the following from Campaigns of
General Forrest, page
231,
tells his destination:
While Forrest was giving rest to his men for some days at Colum-
bia, Tennessee, after such fearful weather exposure and battle losses,
Major-General Van Dorn arrived from Mississippi with three brigades
of cavalry, about four thousand five hundred rank and file, and thus
materially strengthened the Confederate cavalry force on that flank.
General Bragg's headquarters were then at Shelby-
ville, Tennessee, so Van Dorn went to his (Bragg's)
left flank.
Some time in February the Second Tennessee moved
to the south-west side of Okolona (about one mile and
a half from town), where they remained until
Saturday, March jth.Three companies of the regi-
ment moved to Verona, followed by the remainder the
next day. The regiment then encamped half a mile-
from Verona and fifteen miles north of Okolona.
Captain McKnight was ordered to- go with his com-
pany into Alabama on a conscripting tour. He also,
had orders to pick up all stragglers from, the Confeder-
ate army that he could find. Ratber an unpleasant duty
-238
at least no thanks were received from those who were
thus forced into the army.
Friday, 13th. Leaving Verona, passing on through
Richmond, Smithville, and within three miles of Cotton
Gin Port, finally after a march of seven days, Captain
McKnight arrived at Fayetteville, the county seat of
Fayette County, on Thursday, March 19. Establishing
his headquarters at Fayetteville, Alabama, he sent out
detachments to each of the following couties: Marion,
Walker, Winston, and Pickens. The company remained
there on duty as above named for about twenty-four
days.
Calling in the detachments and leaving Fayetteville
on Tuesday, April 14th, after a march of five days Mc-
Knight rejoined the regiment at Verona Saturday,
April 1 8th.
Sunday, April igth. Hearing that a Federal scout*
was afield, Colonel Barteau left Verona to go in search
of it. Moving on through Tupelo, the next station
north of Verona, thence nearly west, he bivouacked
within three miles of Chesterville and about twelve from
Tupelo.
Monday. 20th. About midnight the regiment mount-
'This was Colonel Grierson's raid, made to assist General Grant in his oper
ations against Vicksburg. I find the following account of this raid in the "Life
of Grant
:
"
"Colonel Grierson, who had left LaGrange, Tennessee, April 17th, with one
thousand seven hundred cavalry, after traversing Mississippi lengthwise, de.
stroying stores and arms, tearing up railways, burning bridges, c&pturing mili-
tia, and carrying consternation through the entire State, reached our lines at
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 2d, having traveled six hundred miles in fifteen
days, and lost no less than thirty men in sick, wounded and missing. Nowhere
did he meet with any serious resistance, and his daring raid convinced Grant
that the Confederacy had become 'a mere shell, with all its resisting power on
the outer edge.'
"
April, 1863. 239
ed and moved out a little south of west. When within
two miles of Pontotoc, Barteau learned that the Feder-
als had passed going south, and were about ten hours
in advance of him.*
Not far from Pontotoc Grierson divided his force,
sending one part, which was estimated as high as eight
hundred, under Colonel Hatch, toward Houston, while
he proceeded straight to the Southern railroad with his
main force. Perhaps he intended to unite his forces
-again somewhere south
;
if so, in this he was disap-
pointed. Or, perhaps, he used this strategy to draw
Colonel Barteau from following him, and thus allow him
to proceed unmolested to cut Pemberton's communica-
tions in the rear of Vicksburg. If the latter was his ob-
ject he was not disappointed, for the Second Tennessee,
Smith's Regiment, and Inge's Battalion with Colonel
Barteau in command, followed the scout that went in
the direction of Houston. After a march of about six-
iy-seven miles Colonel Barteau deployed his command
in battle order within two miles of Houston, where they
remained until next morning, Houston, the county
seat of Chicksaw County, is forty miles south of Ponto-
toc,
Tuesday, 21st. Colonel Barteau came up with the
Federals about one o'clock p. m., near Palo Alto, some
twenty-five miles south-east of Houston. Finding that
the Federals were just entering a lane with a hedge on
both sides, Colonel Barteau quickly threw the Second
Tennessee, under Major Morton, around rightward, to
gain the head of their column and hold them in check
*
Being a paroled prisoner at the time, I was not with this expedition; how.
ver, I will give the best account of it that I can from what the boys who were
with the expedition told me afterward.
at the far end of the lane, while the rest of the command
(Smith's Regiment and Inge's Battalion) should move
up on the enemy's rear at the other end of the lane.
Seeing that Morton had gained the desired position at
the far end of said lane, and was gallantly holding the
enemy at bay, our Colonel now felt confident that he
would then and there capture the entire Federal force.
Unfortunately, however, just at this juncture a few shots,
from a small piece of Federal artillery caused Smith's
and Inge's men to fall back, and thus, to the deep cha-
grin of Colonel Barteau, the way was opened for the
enemy to march out.
The Colonel now contrived to throw the rest of his
command around to their front, and thus caused the
Federals to come to a halt at Palo Alto. Thus holding
the Federals at bay he decided to wait until morning
for the arrival of the Second Alabama before he made
further attack, thinking that the Federals would either
attack his position or remain near Palo Alto until morn-
ing. In this he was mistaken, for they withdrew under
cover of night and retreated northward along the Oko-
lona road. One man was killed and three or four
wounded, all belonging to Colonel Smith's Regiment.
Two horses belonging to the Second Tennessee were
wounded.
Wednesday, 22d.Reinforced by the Second Ala-
bama, Colonel Barteau followed the Federals in the di-
rection of Okolona. In attempting to pass through a
swamp
after dark his pilot got lost within seven or eight
miles of Okolona, consequently he had to fall back out
of the swamp and remain there until morning.
As the Federals passed on through Okolona they
burned the hospitals and female institute. They
May, 1863. 241
bivouacked six miles from Okolona on the Pontotoc
road.
Thursday, 2jd.Leaving the Pontotoc road, moving
nearly north, the Federals bivouacked five or six miles
east of Chesterville.
By marching until about midnight Colonel Barteau
bivouacked within three miles of the Federals.
Friday, 2^th.Coming up with the Federals again at
Birmingham, Colonel Barteau attacked them about
eleven o'clock a. m., driving them before him for about
three and a half miles. Then, after crossing a bridge,
the Federals destroyed it. That put an end to the
chase. As men and horses were now so much fatigued
Colonel Barteau thought it would not be prudent to at-
tempt a further pursuit. Therefore he returned to camp
at Verona that night.
The Federal loss in this Birmingham fight was esti-
mated at about sixteen killed. It was said that they
carried off six loads, some wagons and some ambulances,
of killed and wounded.* And strange to say that only
one of the Confederates was killed, and Lieutenant
J.
T. Austin (Company F), Second Tennessee, wounded.
Birmingham is some thirty-five miles from Okolona.
The above expedition, which was made in six days, was
about two hundred and
forty
miles long.
Saturday, 2^th. The regiment moved down to, and
encamped three-fourths of a mile west of, Okolona.
Friday, May ist. The regiment moved camps two
and a half miles south-west.
*
In speaking of this affair Dr. Geo. F. Hager says:
"
We routed him [Hatch]
again, killing thirty of his men and taking fifty prisoners."Military Annals
of Tennessee,
p. 613.
10
A little after dark one of our scouts came in and re-
ported another Federal scout afield. So tents were
struck, wagons loaded and driven out into the road ready
for traveling if it should be necessary. Barteau moved
the regiment back to Okolona, where they lay in wait
for the Federals all night, but they did not come. So
next morning the regiment returned to camp and the
wagons were unloaded.
Sunday, jd.General Ruggles, who now commanded
the same brigade that Barteau had been commanding,
moved out from Okolona in search of a Federal scout that
was still said to be afield. Moving out some nine miles
on the
Pontotoc road, thence toward Verona, he biv-
ouacked
within eight miles of the latter place.
Monday,
4th.Leaving Colonel Barteau in command
Generals
Ruggles returned to Okolona. Barteau moved
the brigade to, and camped at, Verona.
The following is Colonel C. R. Barteau's official re-
port of the action at King's Creek, near Tupelo:
Verona, Miss., May
8, 1863.
Having been ordered to this place from the Pontotoc and Shannon
road on the 3d [4th] instant, I reached here at 10 a. m. There was
then no
reliable account of an advance of the enemy, as rumored,
down the Une of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, but in the evening of
the 4th instant I learned that a mounted force of the enemy (strength
not
known) had reached Baldwin that morning and was marching rap-
idly
in this direction. I considered it only a reconnoitering party and
made no
immediate report; but at 12 o'clock the same day the enemy
drove
in the
pickets at Guntown and advanced toward Saltillo.
The
lieutenant
in charge of scouts at Guntown reported the force
to be three
regiments with artillery, and a prisoner whom he had cap-
tured and sent in stated that the force would not exceed nine hundred.
Late in the evening of the 4th scouts from Inge's Battalion were
fired upon
between Tupelo and Saltillo, east side of the railroad.
That night the enemy advanced to Priceville, and by daylight on the
May, 18G3. 243
5th i)assed that place toward Plantersville with the evident intention of
moving down between Town Creek and Tombigbee River to cross at
Camargo, threatening Aberdeen on [near] Mobile and Ohio Railroad
below Okolona; but by the delay of the enemy near Miller's Mills,
north of Plantersville, I was led to apprehend that his intention was
to cross Town Creek at Reece's Bridge, and immediately ordered
Inge's Battalion to that point to destroy the bridge and prevent his
crossing. Upon arriving at Reece's Bridge Inge's Battalion was con-
fronted by a force of the enemy which it could not successfully con-
tend with, and fell back to Thomasson's farm one mile and a quarter
from the bridge.
In the meantime Lieutenant-Colonel
[James] Cunningham arrived
at Verona and assumed command of all the troops. [He] received an
order from Major- General [S.
J.]
Gholson, of the State service, to
join him at Tupelo. Started with his command by the most direct
route, and ordered me, with Second Tennessee Cavalry, to go by way
of Reece's Bridge. I arrived near the bridge, found that the enemy
had crossed, and that Inge's Battalion had fallen back. Moved then
to Thomasson's farm, where I rejoined Colonel Cunningham eti route
for Tupelo, and followed his column with Inge's Battalion in rear of
my regiment.-'^
Colonel Cunningham moved immediately forward without (so far
as my knowledge extends) reconnoitering or sending out flankers-
passed into thick woods and swamp south of Tupelo, and encoun-
tered the enemy in ambush just before arriving at the Tupelo and
Pontotoc road. A few shots from the enemy announce'd his presence
and he reserved his heavy fire until the column had passed nearly half
way through, and then opened with small arms and artillery upon both
flanks, cutting off two companies of the Second Alabamaf with Hew-
lett's Battalion and my own command, consisting of the Second Tennes-
see Regiment and Inge's Battalion. The advanced portion of Colonel
Cunningham's command (probably consisting of four hundred men)
passed between the two fires of the enemy and moved to his rear. The
enemy then immediately closed in upon the front of the advancing
column and poured a rapid fire upon us from three directions.
The
fire was so severe that all of Hewlett's Battalion could not form and
Major W. A. Hewlett's Jiattalion marched in rear of Cunningham's
Regi.
ment.
t
Cunningham's Regiment.
dismount, as directed, hence it gave way with the exception of two
companies, which, having received their position, remained upon the
ground immediately in front and fought gallantly. I at once ordered
the Second Tennessee mto line and to dismount, which was executed
promptly and in good order, and the horses sent to the rear out of
reach of the enemy's fire. By keeping the men close to the ground
and behind trees, taking deliberate aim at the enemy, we succeeded in
the course of fifteen or twenty minutes in driving the enemy some five
hundred yards beyond the Tupelo and Pontotoc road.
The number of killed of the enemy has been reported by prisoners
who escaped from his hands and citizens of Tupelo to have been twenty
or more, and the wounded many times as great. The loss, as nearly
as can be ascertained, in the Second Tennessee and Inge's Battalion
was six wounded* and eight captured.! Several horses were killed
and wounded. I then withdrew the men from the engagement and
moved to Harrisburg ; the enemy still remaining at Tupelo in line of
battle waiting another attack. I withdrew to Verona.
The next morning moved, under orders from General Gholson, to
Harrisburg, and finding that during the night previous the enemy had
retreated toward Guntown pursued two miles and returned.
It may be well to state that after running the gauntlet of the ene-
my's fire and getting in his rear, Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham
continued his march to Chesterville or vicinity, where finding General
Gholson, returned by a circuitous route to Verona at nine p. m. Had
he fought the enemy vigorously in his rear, or rejoined the troops
which were left in the ambuscade, the result might have been more
favorable for us.
The force of the enemy was not less than one thousand five hun-
dred, with six pieces of artillery (six-pounder guns). The various
commands of the enemy were Ninth Illinois Regiment, Seventh Kan-
sas, Tenth Missouri, and two companies of mounted infantry, com-
manded by Colonel Quinine [Cornyn].
*J. J.
Francis (Company C) and R. Dalton (Company E) were wounded.
t
Joel
Blankenship (Company E), Perry Hughes (Company A), and two oth-
ers were from the Second Tennessee.
J.
R. Dougherty (Company C) was cap-
tured near Booneville as this scout came down. Willis Wamack (Company C)
was also captured not far from Booneville, but made his escape by getting under
the floor of a negro cabin where they put u]) one night while on their way back
to
Corinth.
Dougherty and Wamack were independent scouts.
Mat, 1863. 245
The force which I had engaged did not exceed five hundred.
I am, Captain, your obedient servant, C. R. Barteau,
Lieutenant- Colonel.
[Captain] Roy Mason Hoge,
Assistant Adjutant-General.'^
The following is' an extract from the official report of
Lieutenant- Colonel James Cunningham (Second Ala-
bama) :
As my scouts had on that morning
[5
th] reported the enemy to be
near Miller's Mills, and as I had been ordered to Tupelo without any
warning that there was any probability of being intercepted on my way
thither, I must state that my coming upon the enemy was quite unex-
pected. Lieutenant Dodd, of the advance guard, reported the enemy
in line on my right, just across the creek, about half a mile this side
of Tupelo. I accordingly drew up my regiment into line of battle,
facing to the right. Lieutenant Dodd with the advance guard was
during this time skirmishing with the enemy, and had succeeded in
capturing ten prisoners, who were sent back to the rear and there re-
taken by the enemy.
As soon as my command was formed into line the enemy opened
upon me a cross fire of artillery and musketry. I then 'discovered that
I was ambuscaded on the light and left, and I determined to extricate
my command as soon as practicable. I ordered a countermarch from
the left, but as Companies B and I had faced to the rear and left to
check the enemy, who were closing in upon my rear, they did not re-
ceive my orders and were left on the field. I passed on with the rest
of my command out through the west edge of Tupelo and took the road
to Chesterville, where I learned General Gholson was at the time.
The companies who were left behind attempted to rejoin the regi-
ment, but Captain Daniel, who was in command of them, reports that
he was entirely cut off by the enemy and forced to fall back toward
the direction of Verona. In doing so he kept up a brisk skirmish
with the enemy's cavalry, who were endeavoring to surround him.
In this engagement my loss was killed, two men and three horses;
wounded, two horses; missing, three men and three horses.
f
In speaking of this same affair Major W. A. Hewlett
reports thus :
*
Rebellion Records, Vol. XXIV,
pp.
692 to
694. tibid,
p. 691.
Colonel Cunningham pushed on in pursuit of the enemy's advance
guard without drawing the fire of his main body, which was in am-
bush. On reaching a ridge about one hundred yards from the creek
I first received the fire from the enemy's left wing, at a distance of
from twenty-five to forty yards. I returned the fire and dismounted
my right wing. Several of the horses of my left becoming unmanage-
able, they faltered. The enemy raised a yell and attempted a charge,
but were held in check by my right wing.
At this time Lieutenant-Colonel Barteau came to my assistance on
the right, poured a volley into the enemy, driving them back about
two hundred yards to a more advantageous position. The firing then
commenced from their whole line, with three pieces of artillery, two
making a cross fire from each wing and one from the center. It is
said by those at a distance that they fired forty rounds from each gun.
Just before the firing ceased Colonel Barteau informed me that two
regiments were attempting a flank movement on the left, and ordered
me to recross the creek and form on the opposite side, which I did
under a heavy fire. I was here joined by two rear Companies of the
Second Alabama, which were cut off. After crossing the creek the
firing ceased along the whole line, and Colonel Barteau came out a
few minutes afterward. I then moved with Colonel Barteau's com-
mand to Chesterville [Harrisburg], one mile and a half west of Tupelo,
and continued driving in the enemy's pickets and skirmishing until
night.
My loss is one killed, three wounded, and two missing. I also lost
twelve horses.*
Brigadier-General Ruggles, commanding
"
First Dis-
trict, Department Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana,"
in his official report of the engagement at King's Creek,
compliments the Second Tennessee and its gallant com-
mander thus
:
In conclusion I respectfully recommend to your attention accom-
panying report of Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Barteau, who, with his
command, is entitled to special consideration on account of good con-
duct in this as in some previous encounters with the enemy.
f
Wednesday, 6th.Having learned through dispatches
*
Rebellion Records, Vol. XXIV,
p. 692.
f
Ibid,
p. 690.
May, 1863. 247
from Colonel Barteau that the Federals were advancinof
along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, General Ruggles
set out from Okolona about three a. m. with Major W.
Boyles' Battalion of Alabama Cavalry, some three hun-
dred and fifty strong, four companies of the Third Ken-
tucky (mounted men), and a section of Owens' Battery
to reinforce Barteau. Having learned by dispatch from
Colonel Barteau before reaching Harrisburg that the
enemy had fallen back during the night previous from
Tupelo toward Guntown, General Ruggles returned to
Okolc^na, and, as previously mentioned in his report,
Barteau pursued about two miles and returned to Ve-
rona.
The wagon train moved two and a half miles toward
Verona and encamped at
"
Camp Rogers," about mid-
way between Okolona and Verona.
Thursday, yth. A part of the wagon train with a few
cooking vessels and some rations moved up to Verona.
Saturday, gth.Owing to an alarm being raised a
while before day, the wagons that had been sent up to
Verona the 7th were sent back to Camp Rogers. After
finding the alarm to be false, Barteau moved his regi-
ment down to where the wagons were encamped and re-
mained there about eighteen days.
When they had an opportunity of resting a few days,
no Federals about, the brigade usually scattered,
as a
matter of convenience in procuring forage and
rations.
Being notified while in Franklin County,
Alabama,
May 2 2d, that I was exchanged, I reported to
Captain
McKnight ready for duty May 2-5 th. I found the
Sec-
ond Tennessee at Camp Rogers, some seven and a half
miles north of Okolona,
Wednesday, 2'/th.The regiment moved about five
miles north-west and encamped at Edwards' mill, on
Chauappa Creek.
We were here placed under very strict discipline.
We had to drill in the morning and go on dress parade
in the evening. Commanders of companies could not
give a pass for a longer period than twelve hours, and
only two men were allowed to be absent at the same
time. And in order to catch any that might be absent
without a pass, the roll was called three times a day.
Saturday,
June
6th.The regiment moved from Ed-
wards' mill and encamped within three and a half miles
of Okolona.
A short time previous to this an order had been issued
requiring all battalions and independent companies to
be organized into regiments. Notwithstanding the Sec-
ond Tennessee had been called a reghneut ever since
the consolidation of the First and Seventh Tennessee
Battalions, yet, in fact, it lacked three companies of being
a full regiment, as it only had seven companies. There-
fore one company from Alabama and two companies
from Mississippi were ordered to be attached to the
Second Tennessee in order to make it a regiment in
fact
as well as name.
As a result of the above arrangement the following
promotion of officers took place at this time :
Our Lieutenant-Colonel, C. R. Barteau, was promoted
to Colonel ; our Major, G. H. Morton, was raised to the
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain William Par-
rish (Company B) was made Major. By regular promo-
tion T. B. Underwood became Captain of Company B,
G.
W. Smithson became First Lieutenant, and S. B.
June, 18G3. 249
Wall Second, thus leaving the Third Lieutenancy va-
cant, and
J.
D. Core was elected to fill said vacancy.
From some cause, unknown to the writer, the two
companies from Mississippi did not do any service with
the Second Tennessee, but the company (H) from Ala-
bama remained with us for some time, and was finally
transferred to an Alabama regiment. However, the
failure to make the Second Tennessee a full regiment at
this time did not interfere with the rank of our regi-
mental officers.
Satitrciay, ijth.I suppose we set out that morning
from our camp near Okolona to meet a Federal scout
that was coming down in the direction of New Albany.
Moving about fifteen miles north-west we bivouacked
within two miles of Chesterville.
Sunday, 14th. After a march of about twenty-two
miles, still north-west, the regiment bivouacked within
two and a half miles of New Albany. There we learned
that the Federals had burned New Albany the night be-
fore and turned back. We remained there two days.
Wednesday, lyth.Captain Thomas Puryear (Com-
pany G), with fifty-five of the Second Tennessee and
about forty-five men from an Alabama regiment that
was camping near by, was instructed to undertake no
less an expedition than that of going around Corinth.
Lieutenant A. H. French (Company A, Second Tennes-
see) went with this scout as second in command.
One
Captain Morphis,* an independent scout who was well
acquainted with the various roads around Corinth, went
*'*This same Captain Morphis made a good scout and pilot, and after the
war made a good Republican United States Deputy Marshal for North Missis-
sippi, under Republican administration,"
Letter from Lieutenant A. II,
French,
with Captain Puryear as guide. After the latter had
set out from our camp near New Albany upon his dan-
gerous expedition, the balance of the Second Tennessee,
as well as the Alabamians, moved nearly east to Gun-
town by the way of EUistown.
General Ruggles had moved his headquarters up to
Guntown. He now had command of four or five resfi-
ments of cavalry, a battery of six six-pounders, and two
one horse breech-loaders. Two of the six-pounders had
been left at Okolona.
The writer is under obligations to Lieutenant French
for the following account of Captain Puryear's expedi-
tion.
The Captain with his guide rode at the head of the
column, while French was instructed to bring up the
rear. In attempting to cross Tuscumbia River bottom,
on the night of the 17th, when it was so densely dark
that the men could scarcely see their file leaders, about
twelve of the Alabamians succeeded in getting lost or
cut off from those in front, to the great surprise and
chagrin of Lieutenant French, who had no thought but
what they had been keeping well closed up. It was
now about ten p. m., and believing that it would be im-
possible for him to make his way out and overtake the
rest of the command without a guide, French decided
to allow his men to dismount and take a nap while wait-
ing for day to dawn. As soon as it was light enough to
see the trail he set out to overtake Captain Puryear, who
in the meantime had missed French after going about
four miles, and halted to await his arrival. As soon as
French came up those two officers held a consultation
and decided to go back into the river bottom, remain
there until dark, and then attempt to pass around Cor-
June, 1803. 251
inth under cover of darkness; but just as they were in
the act of making the countermarch they learned that
two regiments of Federal cavalry and two pieces of
artillery had passed about one mile north of them only
a few hours previous,, going in the direction of Ripley.
This changed their plan. They now decided to drop in
behind this Fecieral expedition and follow after it. Ac-
cordingly, about eight o'clock p. m., on the i8th, they
ascertained that the enemy had halted and gone into
camp near Ripley. Now being satisfied that this expe-
dition had been set on foot for the purpose of making
an effort to take our outpost near Guntown by surprise,
they sent a courier that night to inform Colonel Barteau
of the movement. Then Banking the enemy's camp,
Captain Puryear ordered his men to halt about eleven
p. M., some ten miles south of Ripley on the New Alba-
ny road, where they rested a few hours.
Fi'iday, igth.The courier from Captain Puryear
having arrived at our camp near Guntown, about sun-
rise, the Second Tennessee was, soon after, in the
saddle and moving in the direction of Ripley. General
Ruggles followed, a few hours later, with the rest of his
brigade.
Having decided to make no resistance until after
crossing the Tallahatchie River, Captain Puryear, put-
ting his scout in motion before daylight, crossed that
stream near New Albany, about eleven a. m. After
consultation, he and French decided to contest every
inch of the ground from there back
;
and another mes-
senger was dispatched to inform Colonel Barteau of the
situation of affairs. Lieutenant French, with a sergeant
and twelve men, was left to hold the enemy in check as
long as possible, at the river, while Captain Puryear,
with the rest of his men, fell back a mile or so to a skirt
of woods on the Ellistown road.
French, concealing his men on the south bank of the
river, near the ford, awaited the arrival of the Federals,
who made their appearance about noon. French and
his little band reserved their fire until the enemy's ad-
vance had come within one hundred yards of their posi-
tion, when a volley from their steady rifles emptied
several saddles and caused the enemy to retreat in con-
fusion back to the crest of a ridge, about a half mile
from the river. The Federal commander now threw
forward a heavy line of skirmishers
âbout two hundred

to dislodge the Confederates. When this line had
advanced to within two hundred yards of French's posi-
tion, Wallace Thurman, who had gone about one hun-
dred yards up the river and concealed himself, fired,
killing or wounding the officer in charge ; this caused
the enemy to halt but for a moment ; then pressing on
about one hundred yards further, directly toward the
ford, they were again repulsed by a volley from French's
men. In the mean time, however, a portion of the Fed-
erals had crossed the river some distance above, and
Wallace Thurman narrowly escaped capture. French,
being thus flanked out of his position, withdrew his men
in good order, to the south side of New Albany, and at
a right angle in the road he made another stand
;
and
here the enemy was again brought to a halt by a volley
from French's men, who then withdrew a few hundred
yards to another favorable position. The Federals now
threw forward their artillery and commenced shelling
both sides of the road
;
and thus by nightfall French
and his thirteen men had been driven only four miles.
The Federals then withdrew from the Ellistown road
June, 18G3. 253
and moved in the direction of Pontotoc
;
and French
found Puryear encamped about three miles further back
on the ElHstown road.
Setting out from Guntown, as previously mentioned
the Second Tennessee, after moving about six miles in
the direction of Ripley, turned toward Pontotoc
;
but,
soon after we had passed Ellistown, Colonel Barteau
learned that Captain Puryear's scout was engaging the
enemy at New Albany; and thence, turning in that di-
rection, he found Puryear within seven miles of that
place, a few moments after the arrival of French's de-
tachment, as above named. Here we took supper and
fed our horses. Then turning back, and moving across
the country in a circuitous route, we struck the New
Albany-Pontotoc road, at Plentytude, eight miles south
of New Albany, and about two and a half miles in ad-
vance of the enemy. Here we rested two or three
hours. In the mean time, the Federals had turned west-
ward
going in the direction of Rocky Ford, on the

Tallahatchie River. Moving up toward New Albany
until he had struck the road along which the Federals
had moved. Colonel Barteau learned, through his scouts,
that the enemy had halted and encamped not far dis-
tant
;
therefore, he pressed on, hoping to be able to take
.the enemy by surprise; but, on reaching their supposed
camping place, about daylight the next morning (the
2oth), he learned that they had halted only long enough
to feed, and then continued their march westward. By
his own request. Lieutenant French was allowed to press
on ahead, in search of the enemy, with thirteen men
who volunteered to go with him.
The First and Second Alabama Regiments came up
about this time. As General Rug^gles was yet behind,
hurrying up the artihery, Colonel Barteau assumed com-
mand of the three regiments present, and continued the
pursuit of the enemy. He had not gone far, however,
before he learned, through a messenger from French,
that the Federals had halted and were still in their camp
on the west bank of the Lappylubbee Creek. On reach-
ing said creek, the Second Tennessee, now under Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Morton, was thrown across, dismounted
to engage the enemy ; but, as they had just moved out
from their camp, our horses were brought over, and we
mounted again and continued the pursuit. Finding a
good position about one mile from the creek, the Fed-
erals halted, deployed in line of battle, and awaited our
advance. Their position being just beyond a short turn
in the road, Lieutenant French, who was still in the ad-
vance, was within thirty yards of their skirmishers before
he saw them. He and the thirteen men whom he had
with him, on that memorable occasion, composed as
gallant a little band as ever rode into battle. Regret
that I am not now able to give the name of each man.
They immediately opened fire upon the enemy, to which
the latter replied with vigor. To use French's own
language, "Each man seemed to pick out his man and
fight
to a
finish^
The following is from French's man-
uscript notes :
For my part, I selected an ofificer who, I afterward learned, was
the
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninth Illinois Regiment of Cavalry;
whether this be true or not, I am unable to state; yet I do know that
he was a cool-headed officer, for nearly every sliot that he fired at me
took effect.
Onethe first that I feltburnt my neck; the next passed through
my pistol scabbard on my right side; and another took effect in my
right arm, passing through and shivering the ulna; this last shot he
fired after he was wounded by me.
June, 1803. 255
1 shot at him five times. My first shot was too low, striking his
horse and causing him to drop. The ofificer lit on his feet and con-
tinued to fire, until one of my shots took effect in his thigh; he then
fell, but raising up again, he fired again, with the result above men-
tionedbreaking my arm, which dropped at my side powerless.
And thus did Lieutenant French and his heroic little
band stand and fight desperately, at short range, until
Lieutenant-Colonel Morton reached the scene, and threw
forward the Second Tennessee, dismounted, to their
support. And then and there
THE BATTLE OF MUD CREEK
opened in earnest. The F'ederal skirmish line was soon
driven back to their main line, which then opened a
heavy fire. But onward pressed the Second
Tennessee,
driving the enemy before them. About this time Colo-
nel Barteau threw forward the Second Alabama,
dis-
mounted, to the support of the Second
Tennessee
; and
General Ruggles came up, soon after, with the artillery,
which, being immediately thrown into position,
opened
upon the enemy. After driving the Federals thus for
about one mile, Colonel Barteau ordered the command
to halt and mount. We had not gone far, however,
before we found the enemy strongly posted behind trees,
logs, etc., in Mud Creek bottom.
Dismounting
again
we succeeded in driving them from this position, after
heavy firing for a few minutes. Still pressing
forward
we drove them on through a bad swamp and
across
Mud Creek. Having to halt here to assist the artillery
in crossing the creek, and to wait for our horses to be
brought across, it gave the Federals the start of us.
Going on to within one mile and a half of Rocky Ford
we there learned that the Federals had crossed the Tal-
lahatchie River and destroyed the bridge ; so we then
turned back.
256 U. E. Hancock's Diary.
After passing back through the battlefield, our regi-
ment scattered, a company or two in a place, in order to
obtain forage and rations.
The Confederate loss was two killed and ten or twelve
wounded. One of the killed (Andrew Hames, Com-
pany F) and about five of the wounded were from the
Second Tennessee. Among the wounded were S. C.
Odom (Company C) and Lieutenant A. H. French
(Company A).
There seemed to be various opinions in reference to
the Federal loss. However, nine were said to have
been found dead on the field and buried; and about
twenty-seven wounded. We captured five wagons,
loaded with bacon, crackers, corn, oats, etc., one ambu-
lance, a few i,Tiules, the hind wheels of a caisson, and
some ammunition. I suppose that there were about
five hundred Federals in this scout, though some esti-
mates put their number at eight hundred. They had
two pieces of artillery. I suppose we had between three
and four hundred engaged.*
Dr. George F. Hager, who wrote the sketch of the
Second Tennessee Cavalry for Dr.
John B. Lindsley's
History of Tennessee Troops, says
:
We soon drove them across Mud Creek, killing and capturing in
all about seventy-five men. Destroying the bridge and deserting two
guns, they hastily retreated. Our loss was light; few killed and
wounded,
t
Sunday, 21st.On reassembling early in the morning,
*'I shall here relate a little incident that occurred during the action at Mud
Creek. The Alabamians, coming up in rear of the Second Tennessee, opened
fire a little too quick, and thus the latter was exposed to a fire from the rear as
well as the front. In fact, the halls were cutting closer to me from the rear
than the front. Some of us were getting about in the right humor to turn our
guns the other way, when a runner was sent back to stop "that foolishness."
t
Military Annals of Tennessee,
p. 613.
JuLj, 1863.
257
McKnight's Company was detached and sent back to
the hospital to try to make some arrangements to have
our wounded sent to Pontotoc, while the rest of the
regiment moved on to that place. I and one other were
sent out to hunt conveyance for the wounded, and the
rest of the company followed the regiment. After hunt-
ing for some time we found one carriage, but the sur-
geon decided that it would not do, because a man could
not lie down in it. So he finally told us to go on to
Pontotoc and send back the ambulances. Going within
ten miles of town we put up for the night.
Monday, 22d.We found our regiment one mile east
of Pontotoc, and reported the request of the surgeon to
Colonel Barteau.
Wednesday, z^th.Barteau moved his regiment down
to within four miles of Okolona.*
Tuesday-,
July
yth.The regiment was scattered
;
the
larger portion, however, went to Mooreville. A part of
McKnight's Company was sent to Aberdeen, a part to
Okolona, and the larger part to Cotton Gin Port, on the
Tombigbee River, in Monroe County, Mississippi. The
object in thus scattering the regiment was to take up
and return to their respective commands such soldiers as
might be found scattered through the country absent
from their commands without permission.
*It was from this camp that I started, about two o'clock p. M., June 26th,
with a dispatch to General Roddy, who was near Tuscumbia, Alabama. Going
by the way of Camargo, Smithville, Burlison and Russellville, I arrived at Tus-
cumbia, Alabama, about sunset, June 28thdistance about one hundred and
five miles. General Roddy had moved his headquarters eighteen miles west.
The dispatch was sent to him by another courier that night. As my horse was
slightly foundered at Tuscumbia, I did not rejoin my company until a few hours
after a part of the company had arrived at Cotton Gin Port, Mississippi,
July
7th.
1.7
It was on the above date that we heard the sad 7iews
of the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi. This was the
heaviest loss, both as to number of men and importance
of position, that the Confederacy had sustained up to
that time, and perhaps the greatest loss up to the sur-
render of General Lee's army.
Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton surrendered
Vicksburg to General U. S. Grant
July
4th, 1863.
The following (from the Life of Grant, page
251)
is
the estimated Confederate losses from the commence-
ment of the campaign on April 30th, to the final surren-
der of the city
:
PRISONERS,
Lieutenant-General i
Major and Brigadier-Generals
19
Field, staff, and line officers 4,600
Non-commissioned officers and privates 30,000
KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Killed in battles and skirmishes 1,000
Wounded in battles and skirmishes 4,000
Captured in hospitals in Vicksburg and elsewhere. 6,000
Stragglers, including men cut off and unable to re-
join their commands 800
Grand total 46,420
Field artillery captured in battle
83
Field artillery captured at Vicksburg 128
Siege guns captured at Vicksburg 90
Total 301
Muskets and rifles - 45,000
General Grant in his official report sums up the Federal losses dur-
ing the series of battles of the Vicksburg campaign as follows
: . . .
Killed 943
Wounded
7>o95
Missing
537
Total 8,575
July, 1863. 259
In speaking of the fall of Vicksburg Pollard says
:
"It was a disaster that nearly broke the heart of the
Confederacy, as it did cut in twain its body."
"Vicksburg," continues Pollard, "was the strategic
point in the Confederacy, second only to the capital."
According to A. H. Stephens, in his history of the
"
War Between the States," this was Grant's eighth
attempt to take that stronghold, and sums them all up
thus :
First, by Holly Springs ; second, by Chickasaw Bayou ;* third, by
Williams' Canal ; fourth, by Lake Providence ; fifth, by Yazoo Pass
;
sixth, by Steele's Bayou
;
seventh, by Milliken's Bend; and eighth, by
the rear land movement from below.
The following dispatch tells the fate of the last foot-
hold (Port Hudson) that the Confederates held on the
Mississippi River:
Headquarters Department of the Gulf,
Nineteenth Army Corps, Port Hudson, La., July
loth,
1863.
To General H. W. Halleck
Sir : I have the honor to inform

you that with this post there fell into our hands over five thousand five
hundred prisoners, including one Major-General and one Brigadier-
General, twenty pieces of heavy artillery, five complete batteries,
numbering thirty-one pieces of field artillery, a good supply of pro-
jectiles for light and heavy guns, forty-four thousand eight hundred
pounds of cannon powder, five thousand stands of arms, and one hun-
dred and fifty thousand rounds of small arm ammunition, besides a
small amount of stores of various kinds. We captured also two
steamers, one of which is very valuable. They will be of great service
at this time.
I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. P. Banks,
Major-General Commanding.
f
As soon as he heard of the surrender of Vicksburg
Major-General Frank Gardner, commanding the Con-
Or Sherman's attempt to take Haines' Bluff, tLife of Grant, page 258.
260 R. E. Hancock's Diaky.
federates at Port Hudson, Louisiana, surrendered with-
out further resistance to General N. P. Banks, on the
8th of
July.
So there was now nothing left to hinder the naviga-
tion of the Mississippi by the Federals.
Mo7iday, ijth.Lieutenant S. Dennis* was sent to
Smithville, some twelve miles north of Cotton Gin Port,
with ten men to guard the roads around that place.
Sunday, 26th.As our regiment had orders to reas-
semble, Dennis' squad returned to Cotton Gin Port.
Monday^ 2'/th. The detachments of McKnight's
company reassembled at Okolona. The rest of our reg-
iment had gone on to Pontotoc.
Tuesday, 28th.Leaving Okolona to hunt the regi-
ment, our company bivouacked within about five miles
of where the regiment was encamped, joining it next
morning (29th) one mile east of Pontotoc. We found
the regiment almost without forage. The old crop had
about
"
played out," and the new corn crop was not
quite ready for use yet, though there was a prospect for
a good corn crop. Wheat was good ; however, it was
very seldom that we had the pleasure of eating any bread
made of it. Provisions were scarce also. So it was bad
on us, as well as our horses, to have a missing link
between the crops.
Mofiday, August jd.Leaving the wagon train and
*A dispatch from Ruggles to Roddy was handed to Lieutenant Dennis by a
courier with instructions to "forward in haste." Accordingly, I left Smithville
with this dispatch between one and two o'clock A. M., July
23d, and got to Gen-
eral Roddy's headquarters at the Franklin House, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, be-
fore breakfastin fact, before the General had got upnext morning, distance,
seventy-five miles. I returned to Smithville with a dispatch from Roddy to
Ruggles on the 26th, just as Dennis' squad was leaving for Cotton Gin Port,
August, 1863. 261
Company
Q
in camps near Pontotoc, Colonel Boyle
started out on a scout with the Second Tennessee and
First Alabama Regiments and two pieces of artillery.
The Second Tennessee was commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel G. H. Morton. (As I was on picket when this
scout started out I did not go with it.) Moving north
they bivouacked near New Albany.
Tuesday, 4th.Moving on through New Albany they
bivouacked within three miles of Ripley. Colonel Boyle
sent a scout on to Ripley. On returning they reported
that a squad of Federals had been in town that day, but
left before they got there.
Wednesday
,
^th.Three companies of the Second
Tennessee were sent up to Ripley. Forty Federals
had been in town that morning, but on learning that a
scout of Confederates had been town the evening be-
fore they left hurriedly just before our scout got there.
Friday, jth.The Second Tennessee and First Ala-
bama returned to their respective camps near Pontotoc,
without having any engagement with the Federals.
Saturday, '8th. It was reported in camps that the
Federals were moving down the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road in large force. About sundown we were ordered
to strike tents and load our wagons. In the saddle and
moving at dark, making an even night's march, we ar-
rived at Okolona at daybreak on
Sunday, gth.Moving out a few hundred yards from
town, we dismounted and took a nap, while waiting for
our wagons to come up.
They were about one hour and a half behind us. As
the alarm proved to be false, after feeding our horses
and eating a snack ourselves, the regiment moved up to
Sanders' Mill, on Chauappa Creek, some eight and a
half miles north of Okolona.
Saturday, i^th.The regiment moved from Sanders'
Mill, four miles up the creek, to Edwards' Mill, occupy-
ing the same camp that we did when there before. This
move was made on account of the scarcity of water at
the former camp, and we found that article scarce at the
latter, that is, for the men, as we had plenty of water for
our horses.
Monday, ijth.About four o'clock p. m. we were or-
dered to prepare to move, and that immediately ! Ac-
cordingly, we were soon on the road. Two wagons,
with a few cooking vessels, moved with the regiment.
The rest of the wagon train and Company
Q
went to
Okolona. We bivouacked at our old camp-ground, one
mile east of Pontotoc, about ten o'clock p. m.distance
fifteen miles. Here we learned that a Federal scout had
crossed the Tallahatchie River at Rocky Ford, on the
1 6th, going south. General Ferguson commanded the
brigade. I suppose that his object in making this move
was to watch this Federal scout that was rtow afield.
Tuesday, i8th.Moving out on the Holly Springs
road, the Second Tennessee halted and fed at Butter-
milk Springs, about twelve miles from Pontotoc. Turn-
ing back, they bivouacked within seven miles of Pontotoc.
Wednesday, igth. We returned to the camp which
we left the morning before, and remained there until
late in the evening. Then moving out about ten miles on
the Houston road we bivouacked about eleven o'clock
p. M. It rained some on us that night.
Thursday, 20th.We lay by during the day
;
had
plenty of corn and fodder for our horses, and plenty to
September, 1863. . 263
eat ourselves
;
had corn and fodder laid by to feed our
horses next morning ; had our beds made down on
fodder, so we were well fixed for a pleasant night's rest.
About the time most of us were snugly to bed "that
old bugle," in notes too plain to be misunderstood by a
soldier, said,
"
Saddle your horses." Soon after this our
bugler piped forth again, "Mount your horses," and
next came the sharp, quick notes,
"
Forward, march !
"
Well, this is the luck of a soldier ! He has to march
when ordered, whether night or day, rain or shine, cold
or hot. We arrived at Houston about one hour before
day on Friday, August 21st. It was said that the Fed-
eral scout, that passed Rocky Ford on the i6th, had
moved on down the Mississippi Central Railroad and
formed a junction, at Grenada, with another force.
Grenada is about forty-five miles west of Houston.
General Ferguson had concentrated between twelve and
fifteen hundred cavalry and eight pieces of artillery, four
small and four large pieces, at the latter place. Our
regiment bivouacked near Houston.
Sunday, 22d.As the Federals did not seem to be
coming out toward Houston, the Second Tennessee
moved back to Okolona (twenty miles), where they
found the wagon train and Company
Q.
Monday, 2jd.The regiment moved back to our old
camp, at Edwards' Mill, twelve miles above Okolona.
Saturday, 2gth.The regiment moved from Edwards'
Mill to Tupelo. The Second Alabama met our regi-
ment there.
Friday, September 4th.The regiment left Tupelo,*
*I went to Aberdeen to buy a saddle, on the 29th of August, and as I had
to wait until the saddler made one, I did not get back to camp at Tupelo until
September 4th, after this scout had started; therefore, I did not go.
some thought, to go to West Tennessee, but it turned
out to be a conscripting expedition. So they returned
to Tupelo, on the 7th, without going to Tennessee. The
boys complained of having a hard time during this ex-
pedition, on account of having more dust than rations.
Thursday, loth.Our regiment, two others, six pieces
of artillery (six-pounders), and four smaller pieces, left
Tupelo early in the morning, and after a march of about
twenty miles, the brigade encamped within eight miles
of New Albany. Here our brigade formed a junction
with a small brigade from Pontotoc, commanded by
Brigadier-General R. V. Richardson. He had one reg-
iment of Mississippians, about three hundred "new re-
cruits" from West Tennessee, and two six-pounder
guns. General Ferguson commanded both brigades.
Friday, nth.The divisions moved on through New
Albany, and after a march of twenty miles encamped
at Orizaba, seven miles south of Ripley.
Saturday, 12th.About ten o'clock a. m. we heard
that the Federals were in Ripley. Our regiment, one
other, and four small pieces of artillery, were sent up to
Ripley. When we got there, we learned that twenty-
five or thirty Federals had dashed into town and out
again early in the morning. After going about four
miles north of Ripley, without finding any Federals, we
returned to camp at Orizaba about dark.
Sunday, i^th.As the command did not move, our
chaplain, S. C. Talley, preached for us. This was the
first time that he had preached for us in several months.
Monday, 14th.General Ferguson moved his com-
mand back to New Albany, and encamped on the Talla-
hatchie River. As it had not rained for several days
OCTOBEE, 1863. 265
it was very disagreeable marching on account of so
much dust.
Wednesday, i6th. The Second Tennessee moved
from New Albany back to Tupelodistance twenty-
eight miles. Two regiments of our brigade remained
at New Albany. I think Richardson went back near
Pontotoc.
We were glad to be thus separated from the rest of
the brigade. When a fight was on hand,
"
the more
the merrier;
"
but when in camp, "the fewer the better
share." When there were so many camped close to-
gether, the ''buttermilk wouldri t go 'round.'" We had
a pleasant day's march to-day, as the dust is laid by a
rain that fell yesterday.
Wednesday
,
joth.The regiment drew pay for two
monthsMay and
June.
Thursday, October ist.The regiment moved from
Tupelo to Poplar Springsdistance seventeen miles.
We were on our way to New Albany.
Friday, 2d.The regiment moved on to New Albany
early in the morning. Ferguson's and Richardson's
Brigades were reassembled at New Albany for the
purpose of being inspected by Lieutenant
-
General
Joseph E. Johnston. The Second Tennessee was re-
viewed by him between ten and eleven o'clock a. m. It
was the first time that we had ever had the honor of
being reviewed by a Lieutenant-General. Notwith-
standing we had been in his department for some time,
this was the first time that we had ever had an oppor-
tunity of inspecting Joseph E. Johnston. He now ranks
among the great generals of America. I failed to men-
tion in- the proper place that our wagon train went to
Pontotoc in place of New Albany.
Saturday, ^d.Ferguson's Brigade moved out to, and
encamped on, Cherry Creek, eleven miles from New
Albany and seven from Pontotoc. The wagon train
came up from Pontotoc to the brigade at this camp the
next day. Richardson's Brigade remained at New Al-
bany.
Monday, ^th.Ferguson's Brigade moved from Cherry
Creek to Pontotoc. A Federal scout came down to New
Albany. General Richardson had an artillery skirmish
with them. We could hear the artillery as we were
going on down to Pontotoc. They did not become en-
gaged with small arms.
Major-General Stephen D. Lee, who was
J.
E.
John-
ston's Chief of Cavalry, was now at Pontotoc, prepar-
ing for an expedition into North Alabama. Besides our
brigadecommanded still by S. W. Fergusonanother
brigade had been sent up to Pontotoc from near
Jack-
son, Mississippi, to go on this Alabama expedition, com-
manded by Colonel Ross.
Tuesday, 6th.General S. D. Lee, with the two bri-
gades above named and two or three batteries of artil-
lery, moved out from Pontotoc early in the morning.
Going east through Harrisburg and Tupelo he biv-
ouacked near Mooreville (distance twenty-seven miles).
The most of the wagon train and camp equipage were
left at Pontotoc. We had two wagons with our regi-
mentone loaded with cooking-vessels and the other
with ammunition.
Wednesday
,
yth.After a march of about twenty-four
miles, passing through Fulton and crossing Tombigbee
October, 1803. 267
River, Lee's Division bivouacked on the Tusciimbia
road.
Thursday, 8th.Passing out of Mississippi into Ala-
bama, and crossing Bear Creek, the division bivouacked
on Cedar Creek, within five or six miles of Frankfort, the
county seat of F'ranklin County, after a march of about
twenty-seven miles. Here we were ordered to cook six
days rations, which was something unusual.
Fj'iday, gth.The division marched on through Frank-
fort and Tuscumbia, and bivouacked two miles above
Florence, near the Tennessee Rivermarching over
twenty-seven miles again.
Saturday, loth.In order to be more convenient to
water and forage, the division moved one mile up the
river,
COMMENTARIES.
1
.
We marched from Pontotoc to the Tennessee River,
near Florence, in four days, and did it with ease to our-
selves and horses. General Lee was a
"
West Pointer,"
and I think that he exhibited his training at that school
by the systematic manner in which he moved his di-
vision from Pontotoc to Florence.
2. We learned that General Wheeler's cavalry was
crossing from the north to the south side of the Tennes-
see River, at Lamb's Ferry, some distance above us.
He was from Bragg's army, near Chattanooga. Cross-
ing the Tennessee River east of Chattanooga, General
Wheeler had come round by the way of McMinnville,
Woodbury, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville. We heard
that he captured all the above places, except Murfrees-
boro. It was thought by some that Lee left Pontotoc
with the expectation of forming a junction with Wheeler
somewhere in Tennessee, perhaps Murfreesboro, and
assist him in his operations in rear of Rosecrans. His
rapid march and his order to cook six days' rations the
night before he got to Tennessee River, go far to prove
that Lee did have such a move in contemplation. A
misunderstanding between
Joseph E. Johnston and
Bragg, in reference to the time that Wheeler started on
his raid, might have been the reason why Lee did not
start in time to form the intended junction. However,
be that as it may, the junction was formed at the Ten-
nessee River in place of Murfreesboro. Or, perhaps,
it was only intended for Lee to assist Wheeler in pass-
ing to the south side of the Tennessee.
3.
By this time General Bragg had driven Rosecrans
back into Chattanooga, and had seized and was still
holding the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, which
was Rosecrans' only line of communication by rail, thus
forcing him (Rosecrans) to bring his supplies, by wagon,
over a rugged mountain road, seventy miles long. Ac-
cording to their own account,
"
The Federal army was
on half rations, ten thousand mules and horses had died
of starvation, and there seemed no possibility of rescue.
The Government," continues the writer, "became greatly
alarmed, and at once sent for Grant to take command of
Rosecrans' army." So Grant was now on his way from
Vicksburg to Chattanooga, going by the way of Cairo
and Louisville.
Though, some time previous to this, perhaps about the
ist of September, "Grant was directed to send all his
available force to the support of Rosecrans." Accord-
ingly, Sherman, with a whole corps, was sent up the
Mississippi River to Memphis, thence along the Mem-
phis and Charleston Railroad toward Chattanooga
;
October, 18G3. 269
and by this time (loth of October) was somewhere in
North Mississippi, perhaps about Corinth.
Therefore, I am sure that one object of Lee's expedi-
tion into North Alabama was to tear up the railroad in
front of Sherman, and otherwise annoy him, so as to
either make his march along the railroad very slow, or
force him to abandon that route, thus holding him back
as long as possible from the support of Rosecrans. The
following pages will show the result.
Monday, 12th.Our division moved, from where we
bivouacked, three miles above South Florence, on the
lOth, four miles further up the river, where we remained
four days. It rained a great deal during those four days.
Friday, i6tJi. The division moved seven or eight
miles east, and bivouacked near Hennington's Spring,
a beautiful spring, affording an abundance of water.
How delightful it
would
be if we could always have such
a spring near camp.
Tuesday, 20th. About ten o'clock r. m., General
Ferguson, with our regiment, commanded by Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Morton, the F"ifty-sixth Alabama, Major
Sanders' Battalion, and two pieces of artillery, moved
out west from our bivouac near Hennington's Spring,
After a march of about twenty-three miles, we halted
three miles west of Tuscumbia, where we rested until
daylight.
Wednesday, 21st.General F'erguson, moving about
twelve miles west along the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad, met the advance of Sherman's army.
You may pause here, my dear reader, while I lift the
vail from this scene, and allow you to take a look (in
your imagination) at not exceeding nine
hundred and
fifty
"
rebs
"
facing Sherman's army of, perhaps, twenty
thousand men. However, I do not suppose that Fer-
guson expected to defeat Sherman on that field, but try
to check his advance for a short time. When we met
the Federals, the Fifty-sixth Alabama was deployed in
line on the left of the railroad, and our regiment and
Sanders' Battalion on the right. Dismounting, the
Second Tennessee advanced through a woods-lot, and
just as we emerged from this lot the firing became tol-
erably heavy. Pressing on through the woods beyond
the lot, the firing became so heavy that we fell back a
little, and then charged the Federals again. But, as
they had a good position behind the embankment of the
railroad, we still failed to move them from it. Had the
Fifty-sixth Alabama swung round on their right as a
pivot, taking the Federals by their right flank or rear,
perhaps we might have succeeded in moving them from
their position. But they failed to come to our relief in
mty way whatever. If one of them fired a gun I did not
know it ; nor am I able to explain why they did not do
anything. After we had been engaged about two hours,
still holding our position, Colonel Morton ordered us to
fall back to our horses.
After falling back to and remounting our horses, we
moved off slowly, halting and deploying in line every
now and then, thinking that perhaps the Federals would
follow and charge us. After falling back thus for about
one mile, unmolested, the Second Tennessee fell in with
the rest of the brigade, which was now drawn up in bat-
tle line on an elevated portion of ground in a large,
open field, from which position we had a good view
back to the woods in which we had just been engaged.
About this time we saw a line of Federal infantry emerge
OCTOBEK, 1863. 271
from these woods and advance about two hundred yards
into the open field. Their artillery also moved up, un-
limbered and opened, for the first time, from a position
just in rear of the infantry. They cut the fuse too short,
their shells bursting before reaching our position , though,
perhaps, they were throwing their shells at our skirmish
line, which was considerably in advance of the main line.
Our artillery had been left some two or three miles in
the rear.
Nightfall now closed the operations of the day, and
General Ferguson moved the brigade back a few miles,
and camped on the east bank of Cane Creek, where he
met General S. D. Lee with the rest of the division.
It yet appears strange to me why General Sherman
allowed Colonel Morton to hold his [Morton's] position
as he did for two hours (with not exceeding three hun-
dred men), and then move off unmolested.
While my manuscript was in the hands of Lieutenant-
Colonel Morton, he added the following in reference to
the above engagement, which was afterward known as
the "Action at Cherokee:"
We did not fall back until ordered by General Ferguson. He
could not get either one of his staff to carry the order, but it was
finally sent to me by a courier.
It was then that Ferguson formed the Second Tennessee in line
and made a speech, complimenting them for their bravery.
This was one among our best fights during the war.
Our gallant leader [Morton] narrowly escaped being
killed during the action
;
three balls passed through his
coat, and one man was shot down by his side. This
was the only man who was killed on the field. I think
that he was a member of Company H, a company of
Alabamians that was attached to the Second Tennes-
see at that time. The Orderly Sergeant of this com-
272 11. 11. Hancock's Diary.
pany was severely wounded and left in the hands of the
enemy. Captain Thomas Puryear* (Company G) was
mortally wounded while gallantly leading his company.
He lived about eight days.
James
R. Dickerson (Com-
pany D) was mortally wounded; died a few days after
the battle. Steve Harland (Company E), Thomas Link
(Company F) and E. D. Thomas f and H. G. Stephens
*See Appendix A, for biographical sketch.
t
Thomas, who was thought to be mortally wounded, was left at the first
house, and there fell into the hands of the Federals. His brother,
J.
H. Thomas,
who remained with him, was also captured. While waiting at Sherman's head-
quarters the next morning for the doctors to get ready to extract the ball that
had lodged in his left side, the following dialogue took place between E. D.
Thomas (who is a reliable man) and General W. T. Sherman:
ShermAnReb, how many men did you have in the fight yesterday ?
ThomasAbout three hundred, less one-fourth holding horses.
.S'. I did not ask you for a lie. I saw about ten times that number with my
own eyes.
T. I supposed that you asked for the truth; that is why I told you the
truth. Had I thought you wanted a lie, I could have told one. But where did
you see so many men ?
S. Deployed in line back on that hill after the engagement was over.
T. O yes! I guess that you saw the whole brigade in that line; but only
one regimentthe Second Tennesseewas engaged yesterday. We have enough
cavalry in the valley above here to whip your whole army.
[Lee, Roddy and Wheeler were all in North Alabama at that time. R. R. H._j
.S*. I guess you are mistaken about that, too. Another reason why you
must be mistaken about the number engaged yesterday is, that one hundred of
my men were killed on the field ;
and no three hundred men could have killed
so many in so short a time.
T. I am sure that the number engaged did not exceed three hundred; and
if there was a single man killed on our side I did not hear of it.
J.
H. Thomas was sent right on to Alton, Illinois; they would not allow him
to remain with his brother.
E. D. Thomas says that forty ambulances were sent to luka, in one train,
loaded with woundedfrom two to three in each ambulanceand all Federals
except himself and one more. After remaining at luka about eleven days, he
was sent to Memphis, where he remained about three months. He had now
about recovered from his wound. He was sent from Memphis to Alton, Illi-
nois, and, after remaining there about two months, he and his brother were sent
to Fort Delaware. Being paroled at that prison, after staying there about
eleven months, they arrived at Richmond, Virginia, on the 3d of March, 1865.
From there, by a circuitous route through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi,
they
went to West Tennessee, vtrhere they remained until the war closed,
October, 1863. 273
(Company C) were wounded. Perhaps one or two oth-
ers were wounded. To recapitulate: Our loss was one
killed and about eight woundedtwo mortally. If there
was a man killed or wounded in the Fifty-sixth Alabama
or Sanders' Battalion, the writer never heard of it.
I cannot see what General Ferguson expected to ac-
complish by attacking General Sherman's army at all
;
and I am yet at a still greater loss to explain why he
allowed the Second Tennessee to contend ao-ainst such
fearful odds, 2tnsicpported, for two long hours before he
ordered them to fall back. However, as this was their
first action under his command, I am of the opinion that
his main object was to try their mettle.
Sherman's advance (about four regiments of iniantry)
had been camping near Tuscumbia, but had moved back
to the main army that morning just in advance of us.
It was a rainy day, and as the Federals had got wet
during their march that morning, they were in their
tents changing their clothing at the time we attacked
them. It is strange that Sherman would allow himself
to be taken as completely by surprise as it seemed that
he was this time. I suppose that he thought that
there were no Confederates nearer than Tuscumbia, as
those regiments (infantry) had just come from a point
a little west of that place without being molested. But
it so happened that we followed right at their heels. It
was the complete surprise that must have made the
great difference between the Federal and Confederate
losses in this engagement. (See foot note.)
After the death of Captain Puryear Lieutenant
J.
M.
Hastes was made Captain of Company G by promotion.
B. H. Moore was promoted to First Lieutenant and A.
W. Lipscomb to Second, thus leaving the Third Lieu-
18
274 . R. E. Hancock's Diary.
tenancy vacant.
J.J.
Lawrence was elected to fill said!
vacancy.
Thjirsday, 22d.Ross' Brigade went out on picket..
A part of our regiment was tearing up the railroad and
burning cross-ties. All quiet in front.
Friday, 2jd.Ferguson's Brigade, with two pieces of
artillery, went out to relieve Ross' Brigade. Lee still
kept part of his division
''fixing'''
the railroad in ad-
vance of Sherman. I guess that when he (Sherman)
examined it he thought that some one had been
fixing
it. There was a line of couriers, two every six miles,
from Lee to Bragg, near Chattanooga. By this means
the latter was kept posted in reference to the progress
that Sherman was making in his march to Chattanooga.
Sherman was kind enough to let us rest that day.
Saturday, z^th. Ferguson's Brigade was still on'
picket. The two pieces of artillery that we had with us
were supported by the Second Tennessee. Had a nice
position for our artillery, a good view for some distance-
west. About daybreak the Federal skirmish line ad-
vanced, driving our skirmish line before it. They then
moved up their artillery in sight of our position and
threw a few bomb-shells, which fell far short of us.
The captain of our artillery thought that he would not
waste his powder and balls at such long range, but wait
until they came up closer. However, they soon fell
back without having any general engagement, so our
artillery did not fire a shot. Being relieved in the even-
ing by Ross' Brigade, Ferguson moved back to his biv-
ouac east of Cane Creek.
Sunday, 2^th.All quiet in front again, and we are
still occupying the same bivouac that we did the 21st.
It seems that Sherman is moving very slow; especially^
October, 1863. 275
does it seem so when we consider that he has been or-
dered to move with all possible speed to the relief of
the Federal army at Chattanooga, now in an awful
strait. Though, perhaps, Lee is woX.
fixijig
the railroad
to suit him, and, therefore, he has to stop and rejix it in
some places.
An explanation is necessary here before I give the
next move in which the Second Tennessee took part,
A good many "tories" in Marion, Winston, and Fay-
ette Counties, Alabama, had joined the Federal army.
I suppose that they thought that while Sherman's army
was in North Alabama, holding the attention of all the
Confederate Cavalry in that section, it would be a g-ood
time for them to take the "old woman and children"
some sugar and coffee. So General Lee happened to
learn that the First Alabama tory Cavalry (about seven
hundred strong) had been out in the above named coun-
ties and was then on its return to luka. So Lee
thought that he could spare two regiments and still have
enough left to manage Shermanthat is to fall back as
fast as the latter would advance.
Therefore,
General
Ferguson, with the Second Tennessee and Second Ala-
bama Regiments, moved out from his bivouac on Cane
Creek about half after seven o'clock p. m. After a
march of about thirty-five miles in a south-west direc-
tion, over an awful rough, hilly country, we halted about
sunrise on the 26th and fed our horses near the junction
of Cedar and Bear Creeks. Swinging
ourselves into
the saddle again, after a hasty, scanty breakfast, cross-
ing Bear Creek, we moved west to the
Eastport-Fulton
road, thence in the direction of Fulton. We had not
gone far in the direction of Fulton before the Second
Alabama, which was in advance, met that Federal-tory
scout. Hearing the firing in front, our regiment halted,
and while waiting for orders, the Federals threw a few
canister-shot among us, from a couple of small pieces of
artillery which they had along with them ; but, luckily,
no one was hurt. Our regiment and two companies of
the Second Alabama formed and dismounted in an old
field to the left of the road, while the rest of the Second
Alabama was thrown out to the right. The Federal
skirmish line, on the left of the road, was in a skirt of
woods a short distance in our front, while their main
line was just behind this skirt of woods in another old
field. All things being now ready the whole line was
ordered to charge. Their skirmish line fell back through
those woods as we advanced, and after heavy firing
from both sides for a few minutes we drove them from
their position on the left of the road. Seeing that the
squadron from the Second Alabama had failed to move
the Federals on the rigfht Lieutenant-Colonel Morton
dashed across the road to their assistance with two
companies of the Second Tennessee, and he soon suc-
ceeded in driving them from their position on the right
also. Then our whole line moved forward a few hun-
dred yards without meeting any opposition. As soon
as our horses could be brought to us we mounted.
Dashing forward a short distance we dismounted again,
but as it proved to be only a few skirmishers we re-
mounted. However, not far from this they made an-
other stand. Charging up within one hundred yards
of their position they poured a volley among us, and
our daring leader, Colonel G. H. Morton, fell from his
horse.
Leaping from our saddles, charging on foot, we
o
completely routed the Federals that they did not
make
another stand, but dashed through the woods to
OcTOBEK, 1863. 277
our right. Seeing- that Colonel Morton had fallen, our
Adjutant, Pleas. A. Smith, immediately assumed com-
mand, and very gallantly lead the Second Tennessee in
this last charge. Remounting and dashing down the
road we soon learned that none of the Federals had
retreated along the main road. Turning and passing
back through the battlefield our hearts leaped for joy
on seeing Colonel Morton in the saddle again. He had
been struck in the breast by a spent ball, which, though
knocking him lifeless for a few moments, bruising him
considerably, did not break the flesh. As it was now
about nightfall we did not pursue, but moving back to
we bivouacked near our hospital.
Notwithstanding he had been successful in completely
routing this Federal-tory scout, I think that General
Ferguson had failed to accomplish all that he had de-
signed. Mooreland's Battalion, from General Roddy's
Brigade, was to attack the Federals in the rear about
the same time that he [Ferguson] attacked them in
front, and thus make a capture in place of a roiU. But
owing to some mishap or other Mooreland failed to ap-
pear in the rear at the proper time. However, I think
that he arrived upon the scene in time to follow a short
distance, giving them a few parting shots. The Second
Tennessee lost two killed. One of them, George
Brown,* was the First Sergeant of Company D, and the
other, Dave Reeves,* a private from Company G.
Three, besides Colonel Morton, were wounded. Two
of them, Richard Davenport and
J,
H. Cavender, were
from Company C (McKnight's Company). The latter
was so severely wounded that his leg had to be ampu-
They were decently buried at Fulton, Mississippi, the next evening. D.
B. Willard, of Company C, superintended.
tated. The Second Alabama had three or four wounded,
none killed.
I do not know the exact loss of the Federals. How
ever, from the best information I could gêt their loss
was about eleven killed and twenty wounded. We cap-
tured about twenty-five, besides their wounded. We
also captured their two pieces of artillery, several horses
and mules, cavalry and pack saddles, a good many over-
coats and blankets, a few small arms, some ammunition,
and two or three sacks of coffee. The prisoners said
that they burned their wagons back in Alabama. (We
met them in Mississippi.) We thought that, perhaps,
their wagons were concealed, in place of being burned.
The Federals advanced on General Lee, drivinof him
back a few miles east of Tuscumbia. However, they
remained in Tuscumbia only one night, falling back the
next daythe 27th. Lee followed them down below
Cane Creek.
Ttiesday, 2ph.Moving out east, alter proper ar-
rangements had been made for the burial of the dead,
and takinor
care of the wounded. General Ferguson
bivouacked within nine miles of Russellville. C^3tain
McKnight's Company was stopped two miles west for
picket.
Wednesday, 28th. Marching on through Russellville,
thence along the Courtland road, he bivouacked ten
miles east of the former place.
Thursday, 2gth. Moving on north-east we camped
at Courtland, some twenty-four miles west of Decatur.
Friday, joth.Marching fourteen miles in the direc-
tion of Florence we bivouacked with the rest of the
brigade. Here we learned that Sherman* had aban-
doned the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, crossed
He got to Bridgeport on the 13th of November.
NOYEMBER, 18G3. 279
the Tennessee River at Eastport, and was marching
toward Chattanooga along the north side of the river.
This was a very disagreeable day on account of so much
rain.
Saturday, j/i"/.-^Ferguson's Brigade marched south
to Leaton, thence east along the railroad to Town
Creek, and encamped in a nice oak grove.
Wednesday, November ^th.The brigade left the nice
oak grove on Town Creek, marched seven miles east,
and bivouacked at Courtland,
Thursday, ^th.
By
taking a wrong road we were
nearly all day moving three miles east of Courtland. It
was really provoking to think that we had to ride all
day in a cold November rain, when we should have
made the trip in one hour.
Sunday, 8th.A detachment of fifty men, from the
Second Tennessee, under the command of Captain T.
B. Underwood, left our bivouac, three miles east of
Courtland, at seven o'clock p. m. We supposed that
they were going to cross the Tennessee River. I shall
speak of this scout again when they return.
Monday, gth.Ferguson's Brigade moved a few miles
nearly north, and bivouacked within two miles of Brown's
Ferry. Some think we are going to cross the Tennessee
JR-iver, while others are of the opinion that we are going
back to Mississippi. It is evident that all this cavalry
will not remain in North Alabama much longer, from
two considerations : First, Sherman has now passed on
toward Chattanooga; and, in the second place, forage
is too scarce.
Tuesday, loth.Moving out about ten o'clock a, m.
the brigade passed on through Courtland, thence along
the Russellville road, and camped on Mr. East's planta-
280 E. E. Hancock's Diary,
tion, some ten miles east of the latter place. Marched
thirty miles. The question, as to where we are going,
is now no longer debatablethis day's march has de-
cided that we are going back to Mississippi.
Wednesday, nth.The two brigades met at and
camped near Russellville, Ross' Brigade had come
down the Malton-Russellville road. So the division was
together again, for the first time since the 25th of Oc-
tober.
Thursday, 12th.After a march of twenty-one miles-
Lee's Division bivouacked near Burlison, on Bear Creek.
Friday, ijth.The division passed back out of Ala-
bama into Mississippi again. After a march of about
twenty-seven miles we bivouacked on the Smithville
road.
General Lee sent W, W, Hawkins and the writer to
White's Ferry, seven miles from our camp, on the Tom-
bigbee River, to examine the boat and see if the river
could be forded at that point. On returning to his
headquarters we reported no boat there, and the river
not fordable,
Saturday, 14th.Ferguson's Brigade, turning nearly
south at Smithville, forded the Tombigbee about one-
half mile above Cotton Gin Port, and bivouacked on the
west bank of the river. Ross' Brigade crossed the
river near Smithville.
Sunday, i^th. The division got back to Okolona on
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Ferguson's Brigade
encamped one mile north of town, where we found our
tents and the balance of our wagon train, which were
left at Pontotoc on the 6th of October. As it is now
nearly midwinter, we are glad to get back to our tents
again. However, we had the pleasure of resting and
/ YORK
m
Captain T. B. UNDERWOOD.
November, 18G3. 281
enjoying our tents only about ten days before we had to
go on another expedition, as the following pages will
show.
Saturday, 21st. The Second Tennessee was paid for
two months' service
July and August.

Captain T. B. Underwood, who left the regiment near
Courtland, the 8th inst., with fifty men. got back to
camp.
Besides the fifty well-mounted men. Captain Under-
wood had with him, on this Tennessee expedition. Lieu-
tenants A. H. French (Company A) and A. W. Lips-
comb (Company G), and our Adjutant, P. A. Smith.
Notwithstanding Sherman's army was, at that time,
moving eastward along the opposite bank of the Tennes-
see, Captain Underwood was instructed to cross that
stream, and, with his gallant little band of followers,
burn as many bridges and trestles as he possibly could
alone the Nashville and Decatur Railroad south of Co-
lumbia.
Having set out from our camp, near Courtland, Ala-
bama, about nightfall on the 8th instant (as previously
mentioned), they succeeded in crossing the river at De-
catur by ten o'clock the next morning, and soon learned
that the enemy was near by ; but, as their object was to
attack the railroad and not the Federals, they, by skill-
ful maneuvering, avoided coming in contact with the lat-
ter, and, after hard riding, they struck the former just
north of Pulaski, burning the bridges and trestles along
the railroad to a point within ten miles of Columbia.
As a considerable Federal force, commanded by Gen-
eral Negley, was at that place, and as the object for which
this expedition had been set on foot was now mainly
accomplished, they decided to returnor at least make
an effort to do so, for well did they know that this would
be a difficult matter, from the fact that Sherman's army,
estimated at twenty thousand men, was between them
and the Tennessee River; and that broad stream was
another barrier between them and their command.
The Federals were not using- the railroad south of
Columbia, but were preparing to send out trains ; and
the road was in condition to be used before it was at-
tacked by Captain Underwood's scout.
His horses, as well as his men, were now very much
fatigued, as the Captain had scarcely stopped, day or
night, longer than to feed.
Soon after setting out on their return, Underwood and
his men found themselves in the fork of the pikes, the
right prong of which led to Shelbyville and the left to
Columbia from Pulaski, with Federals encamped on both
roads for six miles. Deciding that it would be too haz-
ardous to attempt to pass through the enemy's camp
that night, they fell back into the hills some two or three
miles, where they expected that they would have to re-
main for some time ; but, on learning from a citizen at
ten o'clock the next morning that a heavy cavalry force
was near their camp, they immediately started again to
make their way out. Fortunately evading coming in
contact with the enemy they drew rein about daylight
the next morning in the vicinity of Athens, Alabama,
after a ride of about ninety miles. Here they learned
that seven hundred cavalry were in that place, with a
picket at Decatur, where they had been expecting to be
able to recross the Tennessee. Deciding to make an
effort to recross at some point lower down the river
perhaps about Lamb's Ferrythey turned and marched

westward to Elk River, where they halted and rested
the balance of the day.
NOYEMBER, 1863. 283
They were now within twenty-five miles of Lamb's
Ferry; and how it saddened the hearts of these daring
riders to learn that this ferry, too, was guarded by three
hundred Federal cavalry! They now began, to despair
of being able to cross the river, and some of them were
trying to make up their minds to go to Hickman County
and join the guerrillas.
After consultation Captain Underwood decided to let
Lieutenant Lipscomb and Allen L. Wylie descend Elk
River after dark to its mouth, and make an effort to pro-
cure floats by which the command might be able to cross
the Tennessee at or near that point. Soon after they
had started, Underwood learned from a citizen direct
from Lamb's Ferry that the enemy had left that ferry,
and also that the way was open to that point. At the
receipt of this intelligence a shout of joy went up from
that camp. Procuring a guide and setting out at once
(about nine p. m.), the Captain got to Lamb's Ferry at
sunup next morning, and by ten o'clock a. m. he had all
his men on the south bank of the Tennessee, except
Lipscomb and Wylie, whom he had now about given up
as lost; but, greatly to the joy of their comrades, these
gallant troopers succeeded in crossing the river, and re-
joined the command late that afternoon.
Being now out of danger they moved at their leisure
until they rejoined the regiment, near Okolona, Missis-
sippi, as previously mentioned.
COMIVIENTARIES.
I. As Brigadier-General N. B. Forrest, who is now
somewhat famous as a cavalry commander, is now at
Okolona, perhaps it will not be amiss to give, just here,
some explanation in reference to how it so happened
that he was sent, just at this time, to the North Missis-
sippi Department.
Soon after the battle of Shiloh Forrest was transferred
to General Bragg, and did service under him until he
was sent to this department. A few days after the bat-
tle in front of Chattanooga (which was fought the 19th
and 20th of September) General Forrest was ordered to
transfer all his command but one brigade to General
Wheeler for an expedition into Middle Tennessee in
rear of Rosecrans. He frankly presented to his supe-
rior that he regarded this reduction of his command as
an injustice to himself. Whereupon, General Bragg as-
sured him that his old command should be restored to
him at the conclusion of Wheeler's expedition. With
this understanding, and there being no service impend-
ing of importance on the immediate flank where his
present force was posted, Forrest now applied for a leave
of absence for ten days to go to LaGrange, Georgia, on
the railroad southward, to see his wife, for the first time
in eighteen months.
On the 5th of October, however, when at LaGrange,
he received an order dated the 3d, placing him hereafter
under the command of General Wheeler. In view of
assurances so recent of a different arrangementremem-
bering, too, the ill-fated expedition against Dover in
February, 1863, in which he took part under the com-
mand of Wheeler, and feeling that his usefulness as a
cavalry soldier, if again placed under him, must be de-
stroyed, he was, therefore, extremely dissatisfied.
Many of the prominent people of West Tennessee
and North Mississippi* had, about a month previous to
North Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee, had been the home of Forrest
from the age of thirteen to the beginning of the war. Consequently he was well'
known to these petitioners.
NovEMBEK, 1863.
285
this, made urgent appeals to him to come to their sec-
tion and attempt to assemble their scattered resources
for defensive as well as offensive operations.
Being confident that he could soon be at the head
of a fine command here in North Mississippi, the main
elements of which were, as yet, scattered over West
Tennessee, inside the Federal lines, and consequently
substantially lost to the service, he therefore sent his
resignation as Brigadier-General to Bragg, at the same
time requesting a transfer to this department. Presi-
dent Davis was at Bragg's headquarters when Forrest's
resignation reached it, and wrote him a letter in grace-
ful language, announcing that he could not accept his
resignation* or dispense with his services; but, after a
personal interview some days later, he agreed that For-
rest should be transferred, with such forces as General
Bragg could possibly spare. General Forrest was al-
lowed to bring with him to his new field of command
and action, in addition to his escort company, Mc-
Donald's Battalion (Forrest's old regiment) and
John
W. Morton's Battery of four gunsa force, all told, em-
bracing three hundred and ten, rank and file. This force
marched from Chickamauga, by the way of Rome, Geor-
gia, Talladega and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Colum-
bus, Mississippi, to Okolona, where it arrived about the
1 8th instant. General Forrest, coming by rail, arrived
three days earlier.
As his first design was to throw himself, through the
Federal line, into West Tennessee, and bring to bear
his personal influence upon the scattered fighting ele-
inents abounding there, and thus to bring them together
*In place of accepting his resignation as Brigadier-General, Forrest was, a
ifew days later (December 4th), promoted to the rank of Major-General.
in numbers sufficient to make an effective offensive force,,
and as he would need help to effect a passage across the
formidable barrier of the fortified line of the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad, he therefore, while on his way
to Okolona, had called on the commander of this de-
partment
Joseph E. Johnstonat Meridian, and ex-

plained in full his views and the scope of projected oper-
ations. That officer, giving him a cordial welcome within
his department, expressed his approbation of his projects,
and at once caused the proper orders to be issued, in-
cludino- instructions to S. D. Lee to second his under-
takings in all possible ways.
2. Four small brigades and two hundred and forty
West Tennessee partisans, under General R. V. Rich-
ardson, constituted the Confederate force in all North
Mississippi, except the veterans coming with General
Forrest. General James
R. Chalmers' Division, which
is composed of two demi-brigades, commanded by Mc-
Culloch and Slemmons, extends from Panola, along the
south bank of the Tallahatchie River, to Rocky Ford.
The other two brigadesRoss' and Ferguson'sare at
Okolona. There are now no Federals in the interior of
West Tennessee, but they have a strong force at Mem-
phis and Corinth, with various posts along the line of
the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, with rapid means
of intercommunication and mutual succor.
Wednesday, 2th.As General Forrest was now ready
to start on his West Tennessee expedition. General
Lee commenced the movement of his force for the pur-
pose of assisting the former in passing the Federal
lines.
After resting ten days at Okolona our brigade (Fer-
guson's) took up the line of march again. Moving only
0^
' tov
GENERAL JAMES R. CHALMERS.
PUBUl
A'"'
NOYEMBER, 1863. 287
five miles, we camped for the night on the Pontotoc
road. All of our tents and a part of our cooking ves-
sels were left at Okolona.
As his superiors were absent, Captain M. W. Mc-
Knight was in command of the Second Tennessee^
leaving Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney in command of
Company C.
Thursday, 26th. After marching some twenty miles
the brigade halted for the night near Pontotoc. Ross'
Brigade also moved from Okolona to Pontotoc. Both
brigades were now under Ferguson.
Friday, zjth.The division moved to New Albany,
eighteen miles north. About eight p. m. the command
drew six days' rations of flour, and we were ordered to
cook it all that night. About midnight
just as we had
finished cooking our rationswe were ordered to sad-
dle and mount immediately. It was reported that six
hundred Federals were moving from Chesterville (eight-
een miles south-east) to Ripley (seventeen miles north).
Ferguson moved out from New Albany, with his brig-
ade, in the direction of Ripley, hoping to intercept this
Federal scout at that place. It was raining when we
started, and it continued to rain. McKnight's Com-
pany, with Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney in command,
was the advance guard. After a march of about nine
miles we came to a creek that was too full for the com-
mand to cross, and no hope of its falling soon, for it was
still raining. Therefore Ferguson gave up the Federal
hunt and returned to New Albany. We got back to
camps a little after sunrise on the morning of the 28th,
and a set of cold, wet
"
rebs
"
were we. It was an aw-
ful disagreeable night.
The Second Tennessee and Fifty-sixth Alabama are
289. R. E. Hancock's Diary.
encamped on the north-west side of the Tallahatchie
River; the rest of the division has not crossed yet, but
encamped on the south-west side.
Simday, zgtJi. The Tallahatchie is now so swollen
that it is past fording. So we have to stop and go to
work. They first undertook to build a raft, but, for
some cause, they have quit the raft and are now repâir-
ing an old bridge for the rest of our division, as well as
Forrest's command, to cross. As we have been de-
layed by high water more rations have been issued, and
we are again ordered to cook six days' rations.
Monday, joih.The Federals are reported within
three miles of our camps. The rest of our brigade
have crossed the river on a foot-log, as the bridge is not
yet done. False alarmthe Federals did not come.
Companies C and D went to Lee's mill, seven miles
above New Albany. No Federals had been there. We
learned that they had camped about two miles south of
Ripley the night before. After feeding our horses we
returned to camps. That portion of our brigade that
had crossed on the foot-log to our assistance returned
to their camps.
,
Lieutenant-Colonel Morton havingf arrived, took com-
mand of the Second Tennessee. Therefore, Captain
McKnight took command of his company. Generals
Forrest, Lee, and Richardson are at New Albany. The
latter is going through with Forrest. The bridge is
now finished ; so all things are again ready for a for-
ward movement.
Tuesday, December ist.The whole command, includ-
ing Forrest's, moved out in the direction of Ripley, with
Ferguson's Brigade in front. When within about six
miles of Ripley his advance guard met a small Federal
December, 1803. 289
scout, which turned and went back in the direction of
Ripley. The advance guard fired a few shots occasion-
ally, as they would happen to get sight of the Federals.
From Ripley they lell back in the direction of Poca-
hontas, Tennessee, still followed by our brigade. Skir^
mishing grew heavier after we passed Ripley, for the
Federals increased to perhaps one thousand by the time
they were five miles north of that place. Ferguson con-
tinued driving the Federals back, without meeting with
any heavy resistance, to a point about ten miles north of
Ripley, and within fifteen miles of Pocahontas. There,
giving up the chase, he turned back. Confederate loss
was one man wounded and one horse killed. The Fed-
eral loss was one man wounded. That is all that I heard
of on either side. Our brigade camped five miles north
of Ripley on the Middleton road. Ross' Brigade, as
well as Forrest's command, camped near Ripley.
Wed?iesday, 2d. Saulsbury, on the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad, twenty-seven miles north-west from
Ripley, and about seven miles east of Grand Junction,
was the place selected to let Forrest through the Fed-
eral lines. Accordingly, the command moved out in
that direction, with our brigade in front again. The
Federal pickets (perhaps thirty or forty of them, posted
some eight or ten miles from Saulsbury) fired on our
advance guard, wounding two or three horses, then
dashed oft in the direction of Saulsbury. Nor did they
stop there, for when we got to Saulsbury we found only
one white soldier and one colored. We were agreeably
surprised, for we had been expecting to have hard fight-
ing to do before we got possession of the place.
The way now being opened, General Forrest, here
parting with General Lee and the convoy, passed 011
19
into West Tennessee with five hundred officers and men,
two pieces of artillery, and five ordnance wagons. P or-
rest had left two pieces of Morton's Battery and fifty
men at Okolona for the want of horses, thus reducing
his force of trained soldiers to two hundred and sixty.
The West Tennessee partisans under Richardson being
added, gave him a force all told of five hundred.
I do not know whether the F"ederals had set fire to
their stores and the two box cars at this place, or Fer-
guson's advance guard. At any rate, this small village
was burned, except a few dwellings. This affair of let-
ting Forrest through the Federal lines has been very
handsomely accomplished, be it said to the credit of
General Lee. By sending Ferguson's Brigade to make
a feint on Pocahontas last evening the Federals fully
believed Lee was going to attack that place in force
this morning. Therefore, the troops stationed here and
at Grand Junction all, except small squads, moved out
in the direction of Pocahontas early this morning, so say
the citizens here. Besides, we Can plainly see signs
of their march along the road. Thus while they were
concentratinor their forces to meet Lee at Pocahontas
Forrest passed here unmolested.
There had been some talk of our regiment going with
Forrest, but from some cause we did not go.
Lieutenant-Colonel Morton was ordered to take his
regiment and two pieces of artillery and picket the Po-
cahontas road. Accordingly we moved out about one
mile, dismounted, and formed in battle line on an ele-
vated portion of a large, open field. It was now about
nightfall. We remained there all night. However, we
were allowed to fall back a few paces and build fires
along the line so as to prevent suffering with cold.
Dfx'EMBKK, 1803. 291
Every fourth man was with the horses, some two hun-
dred yards to the rear.
TImrsday, jd.A httle after midnight, two regiments
of our brigade. Twelfth Mississippi and Second Ala-
bama, moved out east on the Pocahontas road.
Going about five miles and meeting the Federals,
they turned back, skirmishing occasionally, but avoiding
a general engagement. A lieutenant in the Second
Alabama was killed by one of his own men through
rnistake. This shows the double danger of night fight-
ing. By daybreak the skirmishing was in sight of our
position ;
soon after which those two regiments fell back
and formed, one to the rigrht and the other to the left of
Colonel Morton's position. There was an open field for
half a mile to our left and right, and also in front, so we
had a splendid view. It was a beautiful, clear morning.
The Federals moved their artillery out into the opposite
îde of this old field, in plain view of our position, un-
limbered and opened just about sunrise. We could see
the smoke curling from the cannon's mouth, and the
bursting of the shells in mid-air; it was almost equal to
a display of fireworks. The scene was more beautiful
than pleasant, though it seemed as if they were throw-
ing those shells just for our amusement, for they did not
come any ways near us. We still had the two pieces of
.artillery that we brought out on picket with us the even-
ing before, so Colonel Morton thought that he would let
the "F"eds" know that we had some artillery, too; and
also let our gunners try and see if they could do any
better shooting than had been done from the other side.
By this time the Federals were moving in columns to
our right and left, through this old field, as well as ad-
"
vancing on our center. Our artillery opened,
" Look!
boys, look! that was a good shot." The Federal col-
umn movine to our ri^ht was cut in twain.
"
That beats
anything that the F"ederal guns have done, for they have
not yet thrown a single ball to our line."
By this time we could plainly see that the Federals
were outflanking us, both right and left. It was now
evident that, if we remained there much longer, we
would either have hard fighting to do, or be made pris-
oners on the spot. However, General Lee, taking in
the situation at a glance, addressing General Ferguson,
said, "General, withdraw your brigade immediately!"
x\ll the brigade moved off except our regiment. The
Federals were now forming in gunshot of us, but we
had orders not to fire a gun. The Federal artillery,
having been brought up within easy range of us, threw
a few well-aimed shots at our regiment, one bomb burst-
ing nearly directly over McKnight's Company. Colonel
Morton, now being ordered to withdraw, moved the
Second Tennessee back to their horses, in good order,,
under fire of the Federal artillery, without having a
siJigle man Jmrt. Mounting and moving back across a
creek, and up a short hill, the regiment halted and
formed just in rear of where the Confederate artillery*
had taken another position. The Federal artillery was
soon brought up and planted on the hill that we had just
moved from. The batteries now opened, being about
equal as to position, and in easy range of each other.
Right here we had about as nice an artillery duel as
some of us had ever witnessed. However, it was ot
short duration, for the Federal guns were soon silenced,
by being dismounted, or otherwise injured, while not a
*
I regret that I do not know whose battery this was. They deserve praise
for what they <lid here. I think, however, that it was S. C. Waite's Battery.
DECEMBEK,
^Xi')o. 2!>3
gun, horse, or man of the Confederate battery was hurt;
but they now played with effect upon the Federal col-
umn, which, by this time, was moving down toward the
creek.
As General Lee had accomplished all that he had de-
signed at this placethat of tearing up the railroad,
destroying the Federal supplies, and passing Forrest
through their lineshe now moved out, nearly west,
along the south side of the railroad, without having a
general engagement. He had remained this long in
order to attract the attention of the Federals, and thus
prevent them from following Forrest, who, by this time,
must have been well on his way toward Jackson. Col-
onel Morton was ordered to bring up the rear; there-
fore, he was again the last to leave his position, though
the Federals were very kind in allowing him to move oft
quietly unmolested. After going about five miles we
halted for an hour or more. Here the Federal advance
came in sight for the last time during the day. After a
march of about seventeen miles, Ferguson's Brigade
bivouacked some five miles north-west of Salem, on the
LaGrange road. We had a slow, disagreeable march,
on account of the bottoms of Wolf River being so very
bad. Ross' Brigade bivouacked a little west of Fergu-
son's.
Meanwhile, General Chalmers, with a demi-brigade,
under McCulloch, had crossed the Tallahatchie at Rocky
Pôrd to co-operate with Lee. He bivouacked about
three miles west of Ferguson. Chalmers' other brigade,
under Colonel Slemmons, crossing at Ponola, was ad-
vancing to threaten the railroad west of Moscow, and
occupy the enemy in that quarter. Moscow is eight or
ten miles west of LaGranofe.
294 R. K. Hancocks Diary.
FiHday. ^th.The Memphis and Charleston Ra; âa
crosses Wolf River about one mile west of Moscow,
To make an attempt to burn the railroad bridge that
spans Wolf River, at the above named place, is the ob-
ject for which Lee set his command in motion this morn-
ing. Moving out early, Chalmers in front and Fergu-
son in rear, we crossed the Mississippi Central Railroad
at Lama, thence north-west in the direction of the above
named bridge. General Lee, with McCulloch's and
Ross' Brigades, met and engaged the Federals in the
river bottom near said bridge. After heavy firing for
an hour or more, from both small arms and artillery,*
Lee drove the F'ederals back to the river, capturing
about forty men, and several horses. He pressed them
so close that they did not all have time to cross on the
bridge ; therefore, a number of them plunged into the
river. But they did not all reach the opposite bank;,
some were killed, some were drowned, while others
would turn back and surrender. Meanwhile, the Fed-
erals had collected such a heavy force on the opposite
side of the river, that Lee, thinking that the damage in-
flicted by his burning the bridge would not compensate
for the men that he would probably have to sacrifice in
burning it, withdrew without accomplishing the full ob-
ject for which he made this attack.
As our brigade was in the rear we did not get there
until the fighting was over. From the best information
that I can get, Lee's loss was about ten or twelve killed
and perhaps more wounded. Ross' Brigade suffered
most. While the Federals were concentratingr their
forces to protect this bridge, Slemmons dashed into La-
fayette, about six miles west of us, capturing eight Fed-
*
Owing to the nature of the ground Lee used his artillery but little.
December, 18G3. 295
era. afand burning their supplies without having any-
fighting to do.
Another object that Lee had in view was to hold the
Federals back from following Forrest as long as possible.
The following, which explains itself, is from "Cam-
paigns of General Forrest," page
379
:
It is pro[)er 10 add that the success of this handsome operation was
assisted, unquestionably, by General Lee's attack upon Moscow on
the afternoon of the 4th of December with McCulloch's and Ross'
Brigades. This affair, though it failed to accomplisli the main pur-
poses for which it was orderedthe destruction of the railroad bridge
at that point over Wolf River and the capture of the garrisonserved
to inflict a heavy loss upon a strong column of the F.-derals, taken by
surprise, and doubtless kept at a stand subsequently in that quarter a
force that was destined to [nirsue Forrest, a force vvhich otherwise
might hive brought his exi)edition to a prem iture close, far short of
the satisfactory results which we have just enumerated.
Lee camped at Mount Pleasant, some seven or eight
miles south-west of Moscow.
Saturday, ^tli.
-The divisionnow three brigades
moving by the way of Holly Springs, camped eight

miles west of that place. The Federals had burned a
number of corn-houses through this section. Here we
had the pleasure ot resting one beautiful Sabbath day.
Monday, ylh. Moving ten miles south the division
camped at Tullahoma. Had some rain that night, for
the first time since the 28th of November.
Tuesday, 8tk.In the saddle and moving by daybreak
Ferguson's Brigade in front. The division crossed the
Tallahatchie at Wyattthat is, where Wyatt had been
;
every house had been burned by the Federals. Here
Chalmers was left to occupy his old position along the
south-east side of the river. Ross' Brigade was sent
down about Grenada. Ferguson's Brigade, being- or-
dered back to the Mobile and Ohio Raih-oad, moved
296 E. E. Hancock's Diaky.
on to Oxford, on the Mississippi Central, and camped
for the night near that place.
Wednesday, gth. After a march of about twenty-two
miles, a little south of east, the brigade camped near
Buttermilk Springs.
TJiuj^sday, loth. Marching only about twelve miles
the brigade camped near Pontotoc. Well, we feel like
we are getting back home again, for we have frequently
camped on this same spotone mile east of Pontotoc.
Here we rested one day.
Saturday, 12th The brigade moved from Pontotoc
to Verona, nineteen miles. Here we met our wasfons
with our tents and the balance of our cookingr vessels,
which we had left at Okolona. We remained at that
place eight days.
Sunday, 20tJi.Ferguson's Brigade moved from Ve-
rona to Okolona, and encamped about one mile west of
town,
Thursday, 24th.General Ferguson, having been or-
dered to meet General Lee at Lama by Saturday night
to assist Forrest in his exit from West Tennessee, moved
out from Okolona with his 'brioâde at two o'clock \\ m.
However, he had gone only two miles when the order
was countermanded. So we returned to camp with or-
ders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a mo-
ment's warnine.
This is Christmas Eve, and plenty of whisky in camp.
The boys were cutting up at such a terrible rate, and
shooting so much all through the brigade, that, awhile
after dark, Ferguson ordered the commanders of regi-
ments to send the next man who shot a gun to his head-
quarters, if he could be found
; but if he could not be
found, the whole regiment must be ordered into line and
December, 1863.
'
2!)7
stand for one hour. There was not much more shooting
after that.
Christmas Day was a noted day in the history of the
Second Tennessee. I am sure that that day is still vivid
in the memory of quite a number of the boys who were
present on this special occasion, though, perhaps, I had
better not say too much. Well, I shall not accuse any
of the boys of being drunk, but I hope that they will
excuse me for saying that some of them had either
smelled or tasted of something that made them appear a
little
"
funny."
Tuesday, 2gtJi. Leaving all the tents and cooking
vessels at Okolona, Ferguson marched his brigade to
Pontotoc.
Wednesday
,
joth.The brigade marched from Ponto-
toc to New Albanyeighteen miles. We drew seven
days' rations of crackers
hard tackat the latter place,

something unusual. Therefore, we thought that a con-
siderable expedition must be on hand.
Thursday,
Jist.
The brigade moved out early in the
morning on the Ripley road. It rained "in the morning,
but just before we got to Ripley in the evening there
was a very sudden change in the weather, and as we
passed through the above named place it began to snow
;
nor had we gone far beyond before our wet blankets and
clothing were
stiff
frozen. Our regiment was marching
in the rear, even of the artillery, which was now moving
slowly on account of so much mud. Seeing that we
could stop awhile and then soon overtake the artillery.
Colonel Barteau called out,
"
Dismount and build fires."
This was a little before sundown. We soon had several
good fires made of fence-rails. While the side next to
the fire thawed the other would freeze. About dark we
2<J8 K. E. Hancock's Diary.
remounted and moved out lively for about two miles be-
fore overtaking the artillery. As their horses were about
given out and the men were about frozen out, they had
halted for the night, about two miles in rear of the rest
of the brigade, when we overtook them. A large pile
of wood that some grood farmer had laid in for his own
use was perhaps another inducement for their stopping
just at this particular place. So the Second Tennessee
halted here for the night, and helped those artillerymen
to burn that pile ot wood. We were now about eight
miles north of Ripley, on the Pocahontas road. Fortu-
nately for us it only snowed about enough to cover the
ground. The wind blew a cutting blast all night. There
was not much sleeping done by us that night. By stand-
ing by good fires, with our blankets around us, we did not
freeze, though some were frost-bitten. This memorable
night, in which the old year
(1863)
stepped out and the
new stepped in, was the coldest night of the war. I am
confident that there is not a member of the Second Ten-
nesse who is now living and was on this expedition but
will remember the above named night.
Friday, January ist,
iS6-f.
Colonel Barteau moved
the Second Tennessee and the two pieces of artillery up
with the rest of the brigade early in the morning.
Ferguson was now within seventeen miles of the Mem-
phis and Charleston Railroad. F"orrest had passed out
of West Tennessee, between Moscow and Memphis, a
few days previous to this. So, while the Federals were
thus attracted to that section, I suppose that Ferguson
had been ordered to tear up the railroad in the neigh-
borhood of Pocahontas, and, if possible, destroy their
stores at that place. However, as the weather was so-
awfully cold, he very prudently decided to take the bri-
January, 1864. 2{)9>
gade back to camp as quick as possible. So, turning
his face campwarcl and passing back through Ripley^
Ferguson bivouacked six miles south-west of that place.
We had to walk a good portion of the way during that
three days' march on account of the intense cold.
SatiLrday, 2d. After a march of about twenty-two
miles the brigade bivouacked six miles south-east of
New Albany. The roads are still as solid as a turnpike,,
though not as smooth by a great deal.
SiLuday, jd.On arriving at Pontotoc the brigade
scattered in order to get forage for our horses. The
Second Tennessee moved out eight miles on the Houston
road. The weather began to moderate some that day.
Monday, ^th.The brigade got back to camp, near
Okolona. Had some rain that day and the night before,,
yet it was still cold. The ground was not thawed but
about one day in twelve.
I shall now give a short sketch of Major-General N.
B. Forrest's expedition into West Tennessee. From
Saulsbury he moved on by the way of Bolivar to Jack-
son, where he established his headquarters about the
4th of Decembei*. The simple fact that he increased
his command during the twenty days he remained at
Jackson from five hundred to thirty-five
hundred, fully
exhibits both the energy and popularity of General
Forrest. However, only about six hundred were armed.
Meanwhile the Federals were not idle. Major-Gen-
eral Hurlbut, the Federal commander of the district, had
set to work to organize a large forcetwenty thousand,
according to his official admissionwhich he hoped so
to dispose as to hem in the Confederate leader and cut
off his escape or return to his base. So Forrest had to
fight his way out. His troops fought successfully five
combats, at Jack's Creek. Estenaula, Summerville, La-
fayette, and Collierville, losing during the expedition
not more than thirty killed, wounded and captured, and
inflicting a loss upon the enemy of fully fifty killed and
one hundred and fifty wounded and captured. In com-
menting upon this expedition the writer of Forrest's
Campaigns sums up the results thus :
Forrest, entering West Tennessee at Saulsbury on the 4th* of
December with only some five hundred men, two guns, and five ord-
nance wagons, quit it at Lafayette Station on the 27th with thirty-five
hundred men, well mounted, forty wagons and teams loaded with
subsistence, two hundred head of beef cattle, three hundred hogs,
and his artillery intact.
A Federal writer puts it in these terms :
Forrest, with less than four thousand men, has moved right through
the Sixteenth Army Corps, has passed within nine miles of Memphis,
carried off over one hundred wagons, two hundred beef cattle, three
thousand conscripts, and innumerable stores, torn up railroad track,
cut telegraph wire, burned and sacked towns
(?),
run over pickets
with a single Derringer pistol .... And all this in the face of ten
thousand men.
Correspondent Cincinnati Commercial^ Memphis,

Jan-
uary i2th, 1864.
As S. D. Lee had assisted Forrest in passing the
Federal line at Saulsbury, I suppose that this writer, in
estimating Forrest's force at four thousand, included
Lee's command, or he may have thought that it would
look too bad to say that Forrest had effected all this
with six hundred in the face of twenty thousand men.
Thttrsday, jtJi. Ferguson's Brigade moved from
Okolona about nine miles south and encamped some
three or four miles west of the railroad near Pikeville,
where the Second Tennessee remained twenty days.
Tuesday, 26th.There had been, some time previous
to this, a change of department commanders. General
'This is a mistake; he passed Saulsbury on the 2d of December. R. R. H.
Januaky, lS(i4. 801
Joseph E. Johnston had been reHeved from duty by the
President, and Lieutenant-General Polk placed in his
stead. During a visit to Polk's headquarters at
Jack-
son, Mississippi, on the 13th instant, the command of a
district was formally assigned General Forrest ; that is,
"
Pôrrest's Cavalry Department," embracing all cavalry
commands in West Tennessee and North Mississippi,
to the southern boundaries of the counties of Monroe,
Calhoun, Chickasaw, Yallabusha, Tallahatchie, and that
part of Sunflower and Bolivar 'ying north of a line
drawn from the south-east corner of Tallahatchie County
to the town of Prentiss, on the Mississippi River. At
the same time he secured arms and ammunition for his
troops.
Ferguson now had orders to move his brigade further
south, perhaps to the neighborhood of Jackson. The
Second Tennessee was, trom various considerations,
bitterly opposed to going any further south. In the first
place, there was not the best of feeling existing between
Ferguson and the Second Tennessee. While he was
too strict to suit them, they were too independent to
suit him. And especially'did this state of feeling exist
between Ferguson and Company C. In the second
place, we imagined that it would be more unhealthy
further south. In the third place, we were the only
Tennesseans in Perguson's Brigade, while the majority
of Forrest's troops were Tennesseans, and we much
preferred serving with troops from our own State.
Therefore, we very earnestly begged for a transfer to
Forrest's command.* In the fourth place, if we re-
mained in his department, which embraced a part of
*
Ferguson's Brigade was now in Forrest's department, though not a part of
his command, and hence it was ordered to move South; or in other words, For-
rest had superseded Ferguson in command of this department.
-302 R. R. Hancock's Diary.
Tennessee, we had some hope of going back to our
native State occasionally, while, if we went with Fergu-
son, we had no hope of seeing Tennessee until the war
closed. What a sad thought was this ! The all-impor-
tant question now was, "Will the regiment be trans-
ferred?" How anxiously did the Second Tennessee
wait for an answer to that question. The brigade was
to start south the next morning-. Dark came, yet no
transfer.
"
What will we do?
"
"
Colonel Barteau, can
you not help us out of this trouble?" "Can't you.
Colonel Morton?" "Is there any hope of a transfer?"
*Ts it possible that we will have to start south in the
morning with F"erguson?" "Do. not despair, men, per-
haps we will be transferred yet." Eight, nine, and ten
o'clock came, and yet no transfer. Some lay down to
Test, though, perhaps, too much troubled to sleep.
Finally, about eleven o'clock v. m., ''The Second Ten-
nessee is transferred to Forrest,
'^
spread like lightning
through the camp. Those who had been trying in vain
to while away the time in sleep now sprang from their
tents to unite with the rest in yelling, hallooing, shout-
ing, and such another jollification as they had from then
until daylight next morning had never been witnessed
in the camp of the Second Tennessee Cavalry before.
If General Ferguson is now living I guess that he has
not forgotten the serenade that a lot of the boys gave
him that night with tin pans, camp kettles, etc. We
had no cannon by which we could give Ferguson a part-
ing salute; however, some of the boys got up a right
good substitute by boring holes in logs and filling with
powder. But after all the big guns and the little guns,
Ferguson still remained quiet, and did not order any of
the Second Tennessee to be sent to his headquarters.
jANU.un-, l<(i4.
303
Wednesday, zjth.^The Second Tennessee belonged
to
"
Forrest's Cavalry" from the above date to the close
of the warfifteen months and fourteen days. Bidding"
Ferguson a
"
final farewell," the re'^;iment moved north
not south and camped for the ni ;ht near Okolona.
Thursday, 2Sth.After a march oi about fifteen miles
the regiment camped near Saltillo.
General Forrest's headquarters were now at Oxford,
Mississippi, on the Mississippi Central Railroad.
The first order received from General Forrest seemed strikingly
characteristic. It was to move up to Corinth, co-operate with Gen-
eral Gholson (commanding militia) in blowing up and destroying the
.abandoned works of that place; afterward destroy the railroad west-
ward to Grand Junction; then to leave General Gholson and go into
West Tennessee to capture the notorious Colonel Hurst, or drive him
out of that district. This seemed more like work than anything we
had been commanded to do from the battle of Corinth, under Van
Dorn, up to that time; and the regiment, feeling that a more glorious
career was foreshadowed, undertook, with a new vigor, the fulfillment
of this order.
t
Friday, 2gih.The regiment, ^till moving nearly par-
allel with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, camped for the
night three miles west of Guntown,
Saturday, joth.Coming up with General Gholson,
Barteau halted and camped some three miles north-west
of Booneville, and within twenty-two miles of Corinth.
Su?iday,
J
1st. General Gholson, with the Second
Tennessee and one regiment and one battalion of State
troops, moved on through Danville, crossed Tuscumbia
River, and about one-half mile from the river, on a flat
hill, he passed through a Federal fort or stockade called
*
*T was, and had been since the 20th, ar one Mr. Gunn's, three miles from
camp, waiting on A. Barrett, who was sick with the fever. As W. F. Odoms
horse was lame he was sent to Mr. Guan's to take my place. So' I joined the
a-egiment on the night of the 28th, while encamped fifteen miles above Okolona-
t Colonel C. R. Barteau's Manuscript Notes.
o04 \{. R. Hancock's Diary.
"
Camp Davis." Here we found about four acres of an
old field inclosed by large posts some ten feet high be-
ing set in the ground, touching each other, and the upper
ends oi these posts, or picketing, were sharpened. A
large ditch was dug around on the outside. The dirt
from this ditch made an embankment about half a^ high
as the posts. Port-holes were cut between the posts
just above the embankment. There was a gate on the
north, south and east sides. We marched in at the
south and out at the north gate. It was a splendid fort
for defense against small arms. From Camp Davis
Gholson moved on through Corinth, and camped one
mile and a half north of that place. The Federals,
after burning all the buildings that they had put up and
a good many others, had evacuated Corinth about a
week previous to this.
Monday, Febj'iiary ist. Leaving Gholson at Cjrinth
Colonel Barteau moved the Second Tennessee back to
Danville ; there turning- west he camped for the night
in Tippah County, within one mile and a half of Big
Hatchie River.
Tuesday, 2d. As the river could not be forded the
regiment moved some two or three miles up the river to
a foot-log. Making our horses swim we carried our
saddles and other baoforaae across on this foot-lop-. We
marched north-west from the river to Jonesborough, Mis-
sissippi, and thence north to Pocahontas, in Hardeman
County, West Tennessee, where Company C and two
others camped for the night, leaving the rest of the reg-
iment three miles south of that place, which is on the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
Wednesday, jd. Instead, however, of finding Colonel Hurst we
Avere brought to a halt by the advance force of General Smith (Fed-
February, 1864. 305
eral), who was preparing for his great movement through the heart of
Mississippi to effect a junction with the army of General Sherman at
Meridian. . ..... . . . .
A detached brigade (Wilder's, I believe) had landed as infantry
into Western Kentucky, and had thence come into West Tennessee,
stripping the country of horses and mules as they went in order to
mount themselves for the great march to Meridian. They were all
mounted at Bolivar, and well equipped with the riggings of cavalry,
which they had for the purpose brought along in wagons. They were
soon joined by another brigade (Holder's, I think, from Nashville),
and in three days more were ready to pursue the march.*
It was in this county (Hardeman, of which Bohvar is
the county seat) that we had expected to find Colonel
Hurst's command ; but, on learning that we were now
confronted by a heavy Federal force, our colonel very
prudently decided to turn back. Therefore, after de-
stroying some railroad bridges in the vicinity of Poca-
hontas, the regiment moved eight miles south late that
afternoon, and bivouacked near Jonesboro, Mississippi.
Thursday, 4th.Having met a courier with a dispatch
from General Forrest, requesting him to ascertain, as
nearly as possible, the strength of the Federal force
which was now preparing to move into North Missis-
sippi, and desiring more definite information upon which
to found his report. Colonel Barteau moved back into
Tennessee again. Crossing the Memphis and Charles-
ton Railroad some six miles east of Saulsbury, he halted
for the night about four miles beyond, on the Jonesboro-
Bolivar road.
Friday, ^th.The regiment moved out early that
morning in the direction of Bolivar, When within ten
miles of that place (south) Colonel Barteau sent out a
detachment of twenty picked men, under Captain Higgs
"Colonel C. R. Barteau's Manuscript Notes.
20
(one of General Forrest's scouting officers), with in-
structions to make a close reconnoissance of the Federal
camp at Bolivar, and get all information possible in ref-
erence to their strength, movements, etc. Moving on
about six miles in a north-east direction our colonel
halted, some nine miles south-east of Bolivar and within
one mile of Big Hatchie River, to feed his horses and
wait for Captain Higgs to report. Wishing to avoid
coming in contact with the enemy, and desiring to see
as much of his camp as possible. Captain Higgs turned
leftward, went within about two miles of Bolivar, and
then rightward, crossing the main road between the
Federal pickets and Bolivar, in full view of their camp.
Then swinging around eastward he returned to the main
road again south of their pickets. While thus inspect-
ing their camp he unfortunately exposed the smallness
of his force to the enemy. Seeing that it was only a
small scouting party the Federal commander selected
one hundred of his best mounted men and sent them forth
to capture Captain Higgs and his men.* The Federals
were soon seen coming, almost at full speed, and then
and there occurred one of the hardest and lo7igest races
that perhaps any of the Second Tennessee took part in
during the war. The road over which the race was run
being very rough some of our horses fell and others
gave out, therefore about twelve of our regiment were
captured during the eight mile race which now ensued.
In speaking of this affair Colonel Barteau (in his man-
uscript notes) says :
After the first volleys were discharged they did not stop to reload,
but both parties turned the affair into a question of speed
-The above was learned from some of this one hundred, who were captured
(February 22d) near Okolona, Mississippi. These were the first Confederates
whom they had seen.
February, 1864. 307
Twelve of my men had been literally pulled ofif their horses, while the
balance having flanked to the right and left, or keeping near Captain
Higgs, would not "shtop" at the Duchmen's orders, but came helter-
-skelter into my camp on the shortest notice, with the enemy right at
their heels.
John
Byrns, Sid Ray, Dempsy King,
James Henley,
and
John Tompkins (all from Company D) were among
the captured. The five men from Company C (W. E.
Rich, C. Garrison, France Willard,
J.
M. A. Odom, and
J.
E.
J.
Hawkins) all being well mounted made good
their escape, though some of their horses were not of
much account afterward.
Our horses had about finished eating when our boys
came dashing into camp. The situation just at this
juncture appeared somewhat alarmingthe enemy in
rear and the river in front. Mounting and moving out
in a south-east direction we marched about sixteen miles
in a circuitous route, and after passing through an awful
bad swamp after dark we bivouacked within four miles
of where we had camped the night before.
Saturday, 6th.Moving only a few miles west we biv-
ouacked about ten miles south of Bolivar. Late that
afternoon Colonel Barteau received a dispatch from
General Forrest ordering him to Abbeville, Mississippi.
Sunday, yth. In the saddle and moving by four
o'clock A. M., passing through Saulsbury and crossing
Wolf River, we camped five miles north-east of Salem,
in Tippah (now Benton) County, Mississippi.
Monday, 8th.The regiment marched about twenty-
eight miles south-west, the most of the way along by-
paths, and camped in Marshall County. We got no
forage for our horses that night, except, perhaps, a few
may have found corn and bought it themselves.
Tuesday, gth.The regiment moved south-west to
Waterford, and thence south along the Mississippi Cen-
tral Railroad to Tallahatchie River. Here we had to
swim our horses and cross our saddles on a hand car.
Moving three miles from the river the regiment camped
at Abbeville, within ten miles of Oxford. Here we
rested one day.
Thursday, nth. The regiment moved down to Ox-
ford. Here our wagon train, which we had left on the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, met us. The Second Ten-
nessee was attached to the Third Brigade of Forrest's
Cavalry, commanded by Colonel T. H. Bell. We now
for the first time belong to a brigade composed of Ten-
nesseans. We found that Major-General Forrest had
organized his command into four brigades, as follows
:
The First, commanded by Brigadier-General R. V..
Richardson, was composed of five regiments, command-^
ed by Lieutenant-Colonel
J.
U. Green, Colonels F. M.
Stewart, T. H. Logwood, and
J. J.
Neely, and Major
Marshall ; and two battalions, commanded by Street and
Bennett, all West Tennessee troops, one thousand five
hundred rank and file.
The Second, Colonel Robert McCulloch (Second Mis-
souri) commanding, was made up of the Second Mis-
souri Regiment (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel R.
A. McCulloch), Leo Willis' Texan Battalion, Colonel
W. W. Faulkner's Kentucky Regiment, Keizer's Ten-
nessee Battalion, A. H. Chalmers' Mississippi Battalion^
and a fragment of the Second Arkansas Cavalry (com-
manded by Captain F. M. Cochran).
The Third, under Colonel Tyree H. Bell, was consti-
tuted of Colonels Russell's, Wilson's, and Barteau's
Tennessee regiments.
And the Fourth, commanded by Colonel
J.
E. For-
February, 1864. 309
rest, was formed of McDonald's Battalion (General For-
rest's old regiment), W. L. Duckworth's Tennessee
Regiment, John
McGuirk's Mississippi Regiment, the
Fifth Mississippi Regiment and Duff's Mississippi Bat-
talionone thousand strong.
McCulloch's and Forrest's Brigades were organized
into a division, commanded by Brigadier-General James
R. Chalmers.
Friday, 12th.The disposition to leave camp without
permissionespecially among those new levies that F'or-
rest had recently brought from West Tennessee
pre-
vailed to such a degree as to render severe measures
imperative. Among those who thus abandoned their
colors to return home were nineteen, who went off in
a body. Promptly pursued, captured and brought back
in ignominy, their commander, giving orders that, in con-
sequence of their flagrant, defiant desertion, the whole
detachment should be shot, issued the necessary instruc-
tions regulating the ceremonies of an early execution.
Their coffins were made, their graves dug and the cul-
prits advised to make their peace with their Maker and
the world. As this was the day and date set for their
execution. Bell's Brigade, mounting and moving out into
a large field, was formed in line on three sides of a
square, while the culprits, blindfolded and seated on
their coffins, occupied the center of the other side of
the square. This was quite a solemn and impressive
scene. The men who were to do the shooting were
standing in front of the culprits. All things being now
ready the commanding officer said,
"
Present arms, make
ready, take aim"
^just at that moment (and before the

next command, which would have been "Fire," was
îven) a staff officer came dashing up and said, address-
ing the cLilprits: "General Forrest has requested me to
say to you that it was unpleasant to him to shfed blood
in this manner, and that, through the petitions of the
clergy, the prominent citizens and ladies of Oxford and
your officers, if you will now promise to make good and
faithful soldiers he would pardon you," They shouted
:
"
We will! WE will!
"
A loud cheer now went up from
the whole brigade. So, 1 am glad to say, we returned
to camp without seeing any one shot.
Saturday, ijth. About this time, as spring was now
about to open, it seemed that the Federals were bent on
making heavy inroads into the State of Mississippi.
Sherman was now afield with a heavy Federal column,
moving from Vicksburg in the direction of Meridian, on
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. A few days previous to
this, Colonel
J.
E. Forrest, with the fourth brigade, had
been sent south to Grenada to watch a Federal force
which had been put on foot up the Yazoo River. About
the same time a brigade of infantry (about sixteen hun-
dred men), with perhaps two hundred cavalry, a battery
and supply-train had moved southward from Memphis,
by way of Hernando toward Panola, and still another
force from Collierville, on the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad, toward Holly Springs. To meet these hostile
movements Chalmers had been instructed to dispose his-
troops so as to guard the various crossings of the Tal-
lahatchie from Panola to Abbeville. As the Federals
had now made their appearance in front of Chalmers,
Bell's Brigade, leaving Oxford early in the morning,
moved out in the direction of Wyatt, but before we got
to that place, being ordered up the river, we turned
nearly east, passing through Abbeville, and about six
miles beyond we turned and marched back to Oxford.
February, 1864. 311
Some of Chalmers' men had a skirmish where the Mis-
sissippi Central Railroad crosses the river (in which four
Confederates were wounded), and also at Wyatt, some
five miles below. Some cannonading at the latter place
;
however, I do not think that there was much damage
done on either side. In the meantime General Forrest
had learned through Colonel Barteau that a heavy cav-
alry force* under General Smith was afield from West
Tennessee, moving in the direction of Holly Springs.
Forrest at once perceived that this Federal force in his
immediate front was a mere feint to occupy his attention,
while Smith was expecting to move, by the way of Oko-
lona, through the rich prairies along the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad and finally form a junction with Sherman
at Meridian. Now deciding that he would pay no more
attention to those Federals that were apparently trying
to force their way across the Tallahatchie, but look after
Smith, Forrest therefore ordered General Chalmers to
concentrate all his troops at Oxford immediately. Our
wagon train moved out in the direction of Grenada.
Sunday, 14th.Forrest set out early in the morning
with Richardson's and Bell's Brigades, his escort and
the artillery, and after a march of thirty miles he camped
on the Mississippi Central Railroad within five miles of
Coffeeville, in Yallabusha County. Chalmers was di-
rected to move so as to keep on Smith's right flank, to
which end his command, McCulloch's Brigade, was in
movement for Houston, forty-five miles south-west of
Oxford, late in the afternoon. Colonel Forrest had
been previously directed to move swiftly eastward with
*It was composed of the Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Illinois, Ninth Pennsyl-
vania, Second, Fourth, and Sixth Tennessee, Second Iowa, Twenty-second New
Jersey, Third Michigan, Seventh and Twelfth Indiana, and Second and Fourth
Missouriabout seven thousand strong.
his brigade from Grenada to West Point, on the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad, in the menaced region, and from
that place to establish a line of couriers to Houston, so
as to open communication with Chalmers.
Monday, i^tJi. After a march of about twenty miles,
overtaking his wagon train, General Forrest camped
near Grenada.
Tuesday, i6th.Moving south along the railroad for
about eigfht miles, thence east. General Forrest, with the
above named troops, camped about nine miles from the
railroad. Chalmers, notwithstanding the rain and mud
had impeded his progress some, arrived at Houston.
Wednesday^ lytk.After a short ridesixteen miles
Forrest camped thirteen miles north of Greensboro,
while Chalmers moved to Palo Alto.
Thursday, i8ih.After a forced march of thirty-five
miles our brigade (Bell's) camped two miles south of
Starkville, the county-seat of Oktibbeha County, while
Richardson's Brigade stopped some five miles west.
General Forrest, establishing his headquarters at
Starkville, some twenty-five miles west of Columbus,
opened communication with Chalmers, who was by this
time at Tampico. He also directed Colonel Forrest to
move forward toward Aberdeen with his brigade to
meet, harrass, and delay the enemy as much as practi-
cable, without becoming involved in a serious engage-
ment.
Friday, igth.In the meanwhile the Federal column,
under Smith, had been traversing the country in a line
through Holly Springs, New Albany, Pontotoc, and
Okolona. Colonel Forrest, meeting the Federals at
Aberdeen, was now skirmishing and falling back toward
West Point. Chalmers joined General Forrest at Stark-
February, 1864. 313
ville. In view of the possible purpose on the part of
the Federal General to throw his force across at Aber-
deen, and move down the east bank of the Tombigbee,
Forrest detached Bell's Brigade, under Colonel Barteau
(Colonel Bell being sick), with orders to cross that
stream at Columbus, and moving up toward Aberdeen,
oppose any such enterprise. Therefore, Colonel Bar-
teau set out early in the morning with our brigade, and
crossing- the Mobile and Ohio Railroad a few miles south
of West Point, arrived at and commenced crossinof the
river opposite Columbus about sunset. All the brigade
crossed that night except the Second Tennessee, which
camped on the west bank.
Saturday, 20th.The Second Tennessee began to
-cross about sunrise, and as we had only two flat or ferry-
boats, the crossing was somewhat slow. Leaving Co-
lumbus about two p. M., going up the river seven miles,
and finding that the Federals were not making any at-
tempt to cross to the east bank, Colonel Barteau com-
menced throwing our brigade to the west bank a little
before sunset. The theatre of approaching operations
was one that called for prudence and judgment on both
sides. To the eastward was the Tombigbee, a naviga-
ble river, swollen with rains at the time ; to the west,
and for miles running nearly parallel with it, from twelve
to fifteen miles distant, was the Sakatonchee River, a
considerable stream, which, after receiving a number of
prairie creeks, is crossed by the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road five miles south of West Point, as it flows nearly
due east to empty into the Tombigbee not far above
Columbus. Into the angle thus formed by these streams
Forrest hoped to draw and hold the Federals until Gen-
<eral S. D. Lee should come upon the scene, and enable
314 R. R. Hancock's Diary,
the Confederates, by taking the offensive vigorously, to
cut off their retreat or escape.
General Forrest marched from Starkville at sunrise
with McCulloch's Brigade and six hundred of Richard-
son's (under Neely), and the artillery, to the support of
Colonel Forrest, who was receding toward West Point
as slowly as was practicable, without becoming involved
in a serious action with the largely superior force press-
ing him back. By the road upon which Forrest moved
the Sakatonchee was only to be crossed at a bridge
about thirty yards in length some four miles west of
West Point, the only approach to which was over a long,
narrow, thrown-up, dilapidated causeway, while the
banks of the stream on either side were steep and miry.
These conditions made it hazardous for the Confederates,
to advance beyond it in much force. Nevertheless, on
reaching the position about two p. m., Forrest pushed
adventurously forward through and several miles beyond
West Point, until he met Colonel Jeffrey
Forrest hold-
ing the Federals at bay in the prairie. Their lines ex-
tended in formidable proportions across the highway.
However, it was not Forrest's policy to fight as yet, but
merely to maneuver for delay until Lee came up with,
reinforcements that must be near at hand
;
therefore,
after some very light skirmishing, he withdrew through
West Point and behind the Sakatonchee again. Dis-
posing his forces to hold the bridge that I have above
mentioned, Forrest at once led a portion of McCulloch's
Brigade to a point called Siloam, some four miles higher
up the river, where it was reported that the Federals,
were making an effort to cross and thus turn his posi-
tion. It was not, however, a serious movement; but a.
small party had already crossed the stream, and, taken.
February, 1864. 315-
by surprise, some were killed, and the rest, twenty-three
in number, were captured.
To recapitulate : Nightfall found all of Forrest's forces
(except Bell's Brigade) stationed along the west bank
of the Sakatonchee, the head of the Federal column at
and around West Point, and Barteau throwing our
brigade to the west bank of the Tombigbee, near
Waverly, some twelve miles east of West Point, as
rapidly as possible.
That night the whole country northward was illumi-
nated by burning homesteads, cotton-gins, corn-houses,
and stack-yards, inspiring the Confederates with a pas-
sionate resolution to do all in the power of men to pun-
ish such an unmanly, heathenish method of warfare.
Su?iday, 2ist. Early in the morning a force was again
thrown to the north side of the bridge, where it was
quickly attacked, but with light loss to either side, though
there was a prolonged, incessant noise and rattle of fire-
arms until about noon, when the enemy, after several
attemps to force the position, drew off. Forrest followed
at once with his ever-staunch escort to satisfy himself of
the actual situation; then, calling up one hundred of
Faulkner's Kentuckians, he discovered, to his chagrin,
that the Federals were apparently in retreat. McCul-
loch's and Colonel Forrest's Brigades were now ordered
to advance ; and with this force he pressed closely at
their haunches, leaving orders for General Chalmers to
collect all remaining troops, and with them guard the
bridge and the crossings northward of it against any
possible hostile flank movement from the northwards
The Federals were soon found in position in some post-
oak timber at the edge of the prairie, four miles north-
ward of West Point; but, dismounting and deployings
as skirmishers, the Confederates quickly drove them
rearward some five miles, with the loss of some fifteen
killed and wounded, when they again halted, and formed
in battle array across the mouth of a lane, in which there
was a narrow, slippery bridge and causeway over a nar-
row slash that could not be turned. About one hun-
dred and fifty Confederates had been thrown across it
when the Federals charged with vigor; but Forrest,
seeing the peril, with characteristic audacity, lead a
counter-charge, while McCulloch, alive to the exigency,
threw forward on foot, at double-quick, a number of men,
who rushed across with a loud shout. The Federals,
however, again gave way to their main line, a short dis-
tance northward, in a woods. For a few moments the
situation was dangerous, the fighting sharp, and, as was
his way. General Forrest was in the heart of it, killing
with his ready pistol a Federal trooper who was in the
act of shooting him. The Federals now confronted did
not number less than four thousand men. Forrest, dis-
mounting the Confederatesnot more than one thou-
sand troopersimmediately threw them forward as rifle-
men to give battle, and a warm engagement began.
The Federals, however, slowly fell back through the
woods for a mile into the prairie to a strong position
behind a stout picket-fence, quite half a mile long.
Promptly detaching a regiment to move round by the
right and turn this formidable barrier, he moved upon
it with his men in two lines as soon as the regiment in
question became well engaged. The Federals giving
way, Forrest's men rushed up to the fence, and from
behind it delivered a galling fire upon their rear.
Up to this time Forrest's losses that day had been
about eighty killed and wounded, while that of the en-
February, 1864. 317
emy may be set down at two hundred, including sev-
enty-five prisoners taken.
Remounting and pursuing, Forrest, notwithstanding
the roads were now fearfully cut up, was able to bring
his advance into more than one sharp collision that aft-_
ernoon with the Federal rear guard, which had been
made heavy, and evidently now of their best men. In
attempting after dark to traverse a field with his escort,
so as to intercept a body of the enemy, Forrest became
entangled in some ditches, so thata number of the
Confederates getting ahead by the roadas he came
up in the darkness they mistook each other for the en-
emy they pursued, and both parties fired, killing one
man, and a ball passed through the General's clothes.
Under these circumstances, the command was ordered
into bivouac on the same ground from which the Fed-
erals had just retired, leaving around a good deal of
subsistence and forage and camp-fires that were greatly
enjoyed by the weatherbeaten, jaded, hungry Confed-
erates.
As we have followed Forrest through the operations
of the day and into bivouac some fourteen miles south
of Okolona, we will now go back and come up with
Bell's Brigade, which, as you will remember, we left last
night at dark crossing to the west bank of the Tombig-
bee. The crossing was not completed until eight o'clock
this morning. Had the Federal commander known our
position, and thrown a portion of his forces out toward
the river to the north of us, our brigadeonly about
one thousand two hundred strongwould have been
completely surrounded by Federals and water; and our
only means of escape, in that case, would have been to
fight our way through the lines of the former or swim
through the latter.
:318 E. K. Hancock's Diary.
As soon as the brigade had all crossed Colonel Bar-
teau set out in a north-west direction, with the Second
Tennessee in rear of the brigade. We had not gone
far before we heard artillery firing in the direction of
West Point. Our regiment, now being detached and
thrown forward, under Captain M. W. McKnight,* at a
swift gallop for some three or four miles, came in sight
of the Federal column, now in full retreat along the
west side of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, a few miles
north of West Point. Throwing forward skirmishers,
McKnight halted here until Colonel Barteau came up
with the rest of the brigade. Being ordered to keep on
the Federal right flank, Barteau now moved out north-
ward through the prairie, on the east side of and paral-
lel with the railroad, with the Second Tennessee again
in front. A skirmish was now kept up and continued
the rest of the day between our and the Federal skir-
mishers as they moved on between and parallel with
the moving columns. When about opposite Egypt Sta-
tion McKnight halted, and, deploying his men in line,
again waited for the rear of the brigade to come up.
While in this position (about the time the rear of the
brigade had closed up) the Federals made their appear-
ance in battle array on an elevated portion of the prai-
rie southward, driving our skirmishers before them.
For a few moments the situation was fearful. The bri-
gade was about to be enveloped, in its isolated position,
by the Federals. However, the movement was happily
discovered in time to be met with decision by Colonel
Barteau.
*As Colonel Barteau was in command of the brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel
Morton on detached duty, and Major Parrish sick, Captain McKnight com-
ijTianded the regiment.
February, 1864.
319
I take the following in reference to the above affair
from Colonel Barteaii's Manuscript Notes:
Night found us at the intersection of the Aberdeen and Egypt
road. Here the enemy made an unsuccessful attempt to strike a blow
upon our comparatively small force. He had gained a quarter of a
mile ahead of us, and attempted with a force from the head of his col.
umn to take possession of this road before we could come up, while a
force from the direction of his rear was detached to close rapidly on
us. But apprehending this we immediately drove the detachment in
front away from the road with Colonel Wilson's Regiment, while my
own under the gallant Captain McKnight protected the flank, and
Colonel Russell managed admiirably well the portion of the enemy
who attacked our rear.
All things being well now we moved out on the Aberdeen road to its
junction with the Okolona road and went into camp* [four miles
from Aberdeen].
The Federals bivouacked some four miles south of
Okolona, on the west side of the railroad.
BATTLE OF OKOLONA.
Monday, 22d.
By
three o'clock in the morning our
brigade was in the saddle and moving toward Okolona.
*"An amusing little incident look place that night while we were in camp.
"The scouts were watching and surveying the camp of the enemy, and in
doing so came upon a big Dutchman in the back yard of a farm house. He had
just robbed alien roost, and a lusty chanticleer seemed to be his only prize. He
was easily captured himself, but persisted in denying the right of his captors to
take from him his lawfully captured rooster. He was brought into camp hold-
ing his fowl by the neck. All efforts to get 'plain English' out of him or to get
away his 'bird' were equally fruitless; but by the aid of a limited knowledge
of his native tongue and the assistance of a good interpreter whom I soon found,
1 learned that he belonged to the Second 'New Zhorky,' and that the entire
wagon train had been ordered to be on the Pontotoc road by daylight.
"
He had been one of the wagon guard that day, and understood that they
were all going back to Memphis (as he said) 'to be dismounted and sent down
the river.'
"
Whether all of his information was true or not, I now considered it certain
that the enemy would not attempt to cross the Tombigbee, and I gave orders
immediately to move, that if possible we might intercept the wagon train on the
Pontotoc road, or strike it at daylight just west of Okolona."Manuscript
J^Jotes of Colonel Barteau.
When within one mile and a half of that place Colonel
Barteau ordered the brigade to halt and dismount. Skir-
mishers* being thrown out toward the railroad, mounted,
soon came in contact with the Federal skirmishers, when
a lively skirmish commenced, and was kept up for some
time, while we were thus waiting for Forrest to move
on their rear. As we had bivoaucked a few miles in ad-
vance of Forrest, and also started about one hour earlier
that morning, we had to wait here longer than was pleas-
ant; for we were in dangerous proximity to the Feder-
als, had they been handled with a resolution or skill
commensurate with their great numerical advantage.
Such inquiries as,
"
What can Forrest be doing ?
"
"
Why
does he not attack the enemy in the rear?" could now
be frequently heard along our line. Finally, hearing
skirmishing west of the railroad, a little south of us,
we knew that at least a portion of Forrest's men were
now in supporting distance; so we then felt somewhat
*D. B. Willard (Company C) and Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson (Company A),
two daring riders, were among the skirmishers thus thrown forward. Ventur-
ing a little too far into a field, they soon found that their only means of escape
was through a hedge fence. Nor did they have any time for parley, as the balls
were now flying thick around them. "Selecting," says Willard, "the thinnest
and lowest place, I made my horse leap that hedge, followed by Atkinson, and
we thus made our escape." Soon after this, as the brigade neared Okolona,
these two troopers, being in advance, dashed boldly into town. Just as Atkin-
son had dismounted and entered a house for some purpose, Willard, seeing a
squad of Federals coming dashing down the street toward him, seeing that he
had no time to lose, after calling out to Atkinson, he went dashing out of town
with the Federals at his heels with drawn sabers, yelling, "Halt! halt!''
Willard replied, "I don't belong to that command; therefore I shall not obey
your orders." So he soon made his escape. Before Atkinson could come out
and mount the Federals were upon him ; therefore he surrendered. However,
the Federals in their eager pursuit after Willard, passed him. Seeing at once
that this was his opportunity, he leaped into the saddle, grabbing the reins of a
splendid horse that the Federals had been leading, and by a circuitous route
southward, making good his escape, rejoined his command (Second Tennessee)
soon after with his prize.
February, 1864. 321
relieved. About that time Colonel Barteau received a
dispatch from General Forrest stating that he had two
brigades at Egypt Station, and directing him to continue
flanking the enemy on the right, as he had been doing.
The brigade then mounted and moved out for Okolona.
Just
before we got to that place our column and that of
the Federals came in full view of each other, moving
nearly parallel with and only a few hundred yards from
each other. Thus the two columns continued to move
until the head of each passed to a point a few hundred
yards north of town, when both halted, and, by facing
the Confederates to the left and the Federals to the

rightthe two lines now stood in battle array in full
view of and fronting each other, each on an elevated
portion of the prairie, with the railroad midway in a de-
pression between the lines. The Confederate left ex-
tended to a point east of Okolona, and the Federal right
to a point west. Our brigade dismounted, while the Fed-
erals remained mounted. Soon after we had thus formed
some Federals came dashing down through the town as
though they were going to try to move us from our po-
sition. However, a few volleys from the left of the brig-
ade sent them back the other way. By this time the
head of the main Federal column must have been two or
three miles from Okolona on the Pontotoc road.
Meanwhile, General Forrest, dashing ahead with his
staff and escort to acquaint himself as soon as possible
with the state of affairs in front, had overtaken and har-
assed the Federal rear guard for a few miles southward
of Okolona, and pressed them into the place, soon after
we had taken the position as above indicated. Seeing
the Federals drawn up in strong force in several lines,
as if for battle, and discovering our brigade at the same
21
322 E R.. Hancock's Diary.
time, he left his staff and escort south of town and im-
mediately hastened, alone, to our position ; and as he
made his appearance on our front the effect was pro-
found. Every countenance irradiated with confidence,
couraofe, and enthusiasm, which found immediate ex-
pression in loud cheers and prolonged shouts of mingled
joy and defiance, in recognition of which Forrest lifted
his hat and politely bowed to us as he passed our front,
from left to right, at a gallop, saying, mildly,
"
Mount
your horses;" and, on reaching our right, he gave im-
mediate orders for the brigade to charge.* He, at the
head of Russell's Regiment, dashed across the railroad
north of town, and Barteau and McKnight, at the head
of the Second Tennessee, went through town, while
Wilson's divided, a part going to the support of each
of the other regiments. The Confederates began to
fire, with their long rifles, as they came within one hun-
dred and fifty yards of the enemy
;
but the short breech-
loading firearms of the Federals gave the latter an ad-
vantage which told perceptibly, and the Confederates
were
staggered for some moments, which Forrest, ob-
serving,
ordered to be cured by an immediate charge of
Wilson's and Russell's Regimentsf on foot, while he, with
the Second Tennessee, mounted (now drawing his sword
::
"Forrest's only question is, 'Where is the enemy's whole position?' My
answer, 'You see it, General, and they are preparing to charge.' 'Then we will
charge them,' was his reply, and in a moment the three regiments were wheeled
into columns of platoons. ..........
"We dashed into the town by two different streets, and struck the enemy in
his very face just as he was preparing to execute the same movement on us. He
seemed
astonished and confounded, and his partially executed movements were
turned into confusion and disorder."Manuscript Notes of Colonel C. R. B.
t
Here the writer of Forrest's Campaigns adds Newsom's Regiment, which
is a mistake, for that regiment was not attached to Bell's Brigade until about the
first of May following.
February, 1864. 323
and brandishing the glittering steel over head, said,
"Come on, boys"),* swept around to attack the Fed-
eral right flank, an attack which was made with excel-
lent spirit, while the dismounted men pressed with equal
spirit upon their front. The enemy, now giving way,
fled in confusion alongr the Pontotoc road. The Fed-
eral loss in this affair was light, only about thirty killed,
wounded, and captured
;
that of the Confederates trivial,
notwithstanding the superior character of arms used by
the enemy. Colonel Barteau was knocked from his
horse by a spent ball striking the clasp of his pistol belt;
however, not being seriously wounded, he was soon in
the saddle and at the head of the brigade
again.
f
The chase now became general and eager, Forrest
leading with his escort and the Second Tennessee, but
swiftly followed by the other regiments as fast as they
could mount. For the next four miles Forrest's best
mounted men were constantly up and in conflict with
the worst mounted fugitives, and many of the latter, in
that distance, were either killed or captured. Mean-
while, in the keenness of the pursuit, we became greatly
scattered, and the men of the several regiments were
necessarily so intermingled that, for the time, there was
no distinct regimental organization, which Forrest ob-
served and ordered the brigade to halt and organize.
*In this "Come on, boys," lay one of the secrets of Forrest's unparalleled
success as a cavalry leader.
t " On seeing our gallant Colonel fall I immediately dashed to his assistance
and to examine the nature of his wound. As he was for a few moments speech-
less, he made no reply when I asked, 'Colonel, are you seriously wounded?
'
His first words (at the same time taking hold of me and attempting to rise
to his feet) were, ^Forward, Second Tennessee
!^
"He had received a severe shock, though not a serious wound, and a few
moments later he was in the saddle and in the lead again."Verbal report of
Assistant Surgeon. Dr.
J.
W. Harrison.
After which, moving about one mile and a half further,
we came up with the Federal rear again. The Second
Tennessee was ordered to dismount and charge on foot,
being led by Captain M. W. McKnight. The enemy,
however, making only a feeble stand here, were soon
'driven to a point one mile and a half beyond. Being
so nearly exhausted by this time, we were ordered to
halt until our horses were brought up,*
In the chase from Okolona to this point, some seven
miles, Forrest, with our brigade and his escort, had cap-
tured seven pieces of artillery and their caissons. Only
a few hundred yards from where we thus halted there
was a high ridge, covered with small post-oaks and a
dense undergrowth, which sloped down steeply into
marshy valleys on either hand, that covered both flanks^
This being a very favorable position for defense, the
Federals rallied and made a stubborn stand.
Colonel Forrest's and McCulloch's Brigades coming
up
only a few moments after we had halted, were or-
dered, the first to move to the right, the second to the
left of the highway, and assail the enemy's position.
(Colonel Russell's Regiment being detached from Bell's
Brigade moved forward with Forrest's Brigade.) Both
brigades swept forward at an equal pace and quickly
carried the first line of cover in the face of a withering
fire ; but behind was a second position, strongly fur-
nished, from which streamed a hissing torrent from the
Federal breech-loaders, that cut down many of the
dauntless men who breasted it. Among others, Colonel
*McKnight's Company halted near a pond, some fifteen feet in diameter,
and, notwithstanding the Federal cavalry horses had just been passing through
and thus stirred it until the v/ater was thick with mud, some of the boys were
so nearly famished for water that they ran and drank of it as though it had beea
clear spring water.
February, 1864. 325
J.
E. Forrest (the youngest of four brothers, the General
being the eldest) fell mortally wounded, shot through
the neck. General Forrest being informed of his broth-
er's fall, rushed to the spot and dismounted. The Col-
onel was not yet dead, and his mortal existence ter-
minated in the arms of the General, whose soul at that
supreme instant was moved by such an excess of sorrow
that it served even to hush, for some ten minutes, the
storm of battle. Says Colonel Russell, who was pres-
ênt
:
The moment was too sacred for angry passion to have sway, and
catching its inspiration I ordered the men to cease firing, that all
might join in sympathy with our suffering General. After nature had
triumphed for awhile, continues Colonel Russell, he rose up, and cast-
ing aside those reflections which had unmanned him for a few moments,
by a strong mental effort Forrest was himself again.
Remounting in stern silence, Forrest, taking in the
situation at a glance, ordered his staff and escort to fol-
low, and shouting in a loud, passionate voice,
"
Gaus,
sound the charge!"* dashed with great fury upon the
enemy in front just as they were remounting to retreat,
and for some moments there was sore havoc in the Fed-
eral mass as it flowed rearward, heavily packed in the
narrow road, for a mile to another position even stronger
and better prepared for defense, behind rail and log
breastworks. The Forrest Brigade, now under Colonel
Duckworth, was dismounted on the right of the road
.and thrown forward to storm the cover. The defense
was stubborn and bloody, and the assault equally stren-
uous ; however, the Federals were forced back, but only
for a half mile, where the around afforded another favor-
able position, with abundance of rails available for an-
other temporary breastwork. Lieutenant-Colonel
J.
A.
Jacob Gaus was the name of his favorite orderly bugler.
326
R. R. Hancock's
Diary.
Barksdale
fell
mortally
wounded
while
gallantly
leading
the Fifth
Mississippi,
during
the
above
onset.
^
McCulloch
was now up with
his Texans
and
Missou-
rians,
who
charged
forward,
shouting
that
their colors
should
not lag
behind any on that field;
the
Forrest
Brigade
dashed
forward
also,
with a similar
resolve.
Therefore,
the
conflict
for the
position
was short,
but
very
bloody.
The
Federals
yielded
the
ground,
suffer-
mg a great deal as they
retired,
especially
the Fourth
Regulars
and Sixth
and
Ninth
Illinois
Cavalry.
The
Confederate
losses also
were
severe
before the
position
was
carried.
A mile
beyond
the enemy
stood at bay
agam
behind
a cluster of log
cabins and some
out-build-
ings
and
strong
fencing.
Forrest
and his
escort
were
with
the
advance,
and
active in the
onslaught.*
The
musketry
was
again
deadly
to both sides,
and
Forrest's
horse fell
under
him,
pierced with five
balls,
besides
which
his
saddle,
struck
three
times,
was
shattered
under
him.
A trooper,
observing
the
situation of our
leader,
dismounted
and
gave up his horse,
which
was
taken
as
promptly
as it was offered,
but was likewise
killed
before
Forrest
had ridden it one hundred
and fifty
yards,
but,
fortunately,
just as one of his own
horses, a.
favorite
iron
gray
gelding,
was
brought
to him from the
rear.
It was
about this
juncture,
too, that
Colonel Mc-
Culloch
was
painfully
wounded
in the hand, and had to
quit^
field,
and
,
consequently,
his brigade
was brought
*The writer of Forrest's
Campaigns
says:
"
Disposing the Second and Sev-
enth
Tennessee on the right, and
McCulloch's
Brigade on the left, an attack
followed
with little delay."
(Page
398.) Hence this writer gives the Second
lennessee
the honor of taking part in this onset-an honor which we do not
claim, for
according
to what I wrote then, which
corresponds with my memory
now
(1886), the
Second
Tennessee was not ordered to the front until the Feder-
als had taken the next and last position, as nightfall closed the operations of the
day at the next stand.
This is correct.
Q. R. B.
Februaky,
1864.
327
to a stand for a
while by this mishap, and Forrest found
himself in advance,
with scarcely three hundred officers
and men from all the different
regiments engaged
;
but
with this small force he
nevertheless hung close upon
the enemy's
rear, and just at sunset came upon them,
drawn up in four strong
lines upon an elevated ridge,
in the western
skirt of a field of the area of about one
hundred acres, ready to descend upon this small band
of dismounted
Confederates.
Forrest threw his men
into line as quickly as possible behind a gully which
furrowed the field, to meet the approaching onset.
We will here pause to describe more fully the Federal
position at this place. The Pontotoc road approaching
the north-east
corner of the above named field, passing
alono- the north-east
side, with woods on the right,
turning the north-west
corner in a curve, a short distance
from which, at a farm-house in the north-west side of
said field, turned square to the right, leading off through
a lane. The Federal lines extended from this house
along the north-west side of said field, to and along the
south-west side. Two pieces of artillery were planted
near said house in the yard.
To return now to Forrest's position. The first line
of Federals dashed down the slope in excellent order to
within sixty yards of the Confederates, who, at that
distance, poured into it a scorching volley which sent it
reelino- rearward, and strewed the ground in front with
a number of dead and wounded horses and men. The
second line was buffeted back in like manner, and also
the third, after making a still nearer approach. The
remaining line, the largest and most menacing, was now
put in action, with such persistence that, notwithstand-
ing it was met by a warm fire, the mass of it pressed up
to the gully we have mentioned, and many even sprang
across and broke through the Confederate ranks. The
Confederates, throwing down their guns, betook them-
selves to their revolvers, in the desperate hand-to-hand
struggle that now came to pass.*
Just at this juncture
Lieutenant-Colonel McCulloch opportunely brought up
McCuUoch's Brigade, and meeting the portion of the
enemy that had broken through and passed to the rear
of Forrest's position, killed and wounded a number,
among others an aid-de-camp of General Grierson.
About this time Colonel Barteau came to the front
with the Second Tennessee and Wilder's Regiment
(Russell's having been detached, as previously men-
tioned). The Federal artillery now opened for the first
time during the day. Colonel Barteau, being ordered
to attack the Federal left fiank, and, if possible, take
the section of artillery that was playing upon us, moved
his demi-brigade along the north-east side of the field I
have mentioned for a few hundred yards, and then he
ordered us to halt and dismount. The two regiments
(with the Second Tennessee in front)', led by the gal-
lant Barteau, moving on to the north-west corner of said
field, there emerging from the woods that had afforded
us some protection to that point from the continued
stream of grape-shot that the Federal artillery had been
pouring among us all the while, and dashing forward
with spirit, began to fire when within one hundred yards
of the Federal position, around the farm-house we have
mentioned, and, soon brushing back the enemy,f cap-
*
Seeing a Federal officer in the act of shooting one of his staft (Major T. S.
Tate), who had no weapon save an empty carbine, Forrest, with one sweep of
his saber, nearly severed the Federal officer's head from his shoulders. The man
toppled to the ground, and as he did so Tate, taking the revolver from his hand,
swung himself into the vacated saddle.
tThe Federal Second Tennessee was among the supporters of this section of
artillery, so here, for once, the Confederate Second Tennessee met and engaged
the Federal Second Tennessee.
February, 1804. 329
tured one piece of artillery, with the horses hitched to
it, and one flag". After dashing along the lane for some
distance beyond the house, close after the other piece of
artillery, we were ordered to cease hring, iall back and
form inside the yard fence.
While Barteaii was thus driving back the Federal left
flank, their right dashed down upon his horse-holders,
who, turning the horses loose, betook themselves to
their guns and very gallantly repelled the enemy, not-
withstanding they were "few and far between."*
As it was now dark Forrest, ordering his men to halt,
did not pursue the enemy any further. We thus came
to a halt some fifteen miles north-west of Okolona, on
the Pontotoc road ; and it had been almost one continu-
ous rattle of fire-arms for the whole of that fifteen miles.
The Federal losses were not less than six hundred
killed and woundec| and three hundred prisoners. The
Confederate losses were some fifty killed and one hun-
dred and fifty wounded. The Second Tennessee was
very fortunatenone killed and only about five slightly
wounded. The losses of McKnight's Company were
:
W. W. Hawkins, slightly wounded;
Jim
Dougherty,
somewhat jarred by a spent grape-shot striking his
shoulder ; and two horses killed and another's leg broken.
Barteau, with Bell's Brigade, moved back about two
miles and bivouacked. About eight p. m. General Ghol-
*
Since writing the above I have learned that it was the Fourth Regulars,
under Captain Allen, that dashed down upon our horse-holders. In the hand-
to-hand conflict that now ensued, H. C. (Red) Odom (Company C) shot and
killed Captain Allen, who at that moment was making an attempt to kill Jim
Petway (Company G) with his saber. So grateful did Petway feel toward Odom
for thus saving his life that he off"ered to make Odom a present of a fine horse
;
but as Odom had captured four horses during the day, and consequently did not
need Petway's horse, he very prudently declined to accept the offer. Three of
the four horses that S. C. Odom was holding were shot in the above affair.
son arrived upon the field with a brigadeseven hun-
dred strongof State troops.
Tuesday, 2jd.General Gholson was directed to take
up the pursuit with his fresh troops early in the morn-
ing, which he did as far as Cherry Creek, capturing
some fifty stragglers. At Tippah River, where the boat
was destroyed, and a halt became necessary for the con-
struction of a temporary bridge, some scouts having
fired upon the demoralized enemy from the surrounding
bushes, a rush was made into the stream in so frantic a
manner that many horses and some men were drowned^
and thenceforward to Memphis there was little organi-
zation in this command, which, scarcely a fortnight be-
fore, had left West Tennessee seven thousand strong,,
and as splendidly equipped a corps of cavalry as ever
took the field. Had Smith been successful in forming
a junction with Sherman at Meridian, it was no doubt
the intention of the latter to move on to Mobile, Ala-
bama. Sherman arrived at Meridian the 15th of Feb-
ruary, and began his retreat from Meridian to Vicks-
burg a few days after Smith had been driven back to
Memphis.
^
In A. H. Stephens'
"
War Between the States" (Vol.
II, page
582)
I find the following:
A little before this General William T. Sherman had set out on his
grand projected expedition to Mobile through Mississippi and Ala-
bama. This most formidable and threatening movement was com-
pletely checked by several brilliant cavalry exploits of Major-General
N. B. Forrest, particularly the one at Okolona on the 22d of Febru-
ary, the opening day of the fourth year of the war. Sherman's army,
estimated at fifty thousand, was thus stopped at Meridian, Mississippi.
From this point he retraced his steps to Vicksburg, and by Grant was
put at the head of a new army to make another
''
omvard^^ upon At-
lanta and through Georgia.
Having set parties to burying the dead, both Confed-
February, 1864. 331
erate and Federal, and pressed wagons to remove the
wounded of both sides ahke to the hospital at Okolona^
Forrest left the field with his staff and escort, and re-
established his headquarters at Starkville on the 24th.
Meanwhile Lee, on the morning of the 2 2d, had ar-
rived, with Jackson's
Division, at Chalmers' headquar-
ters, behind the Sakatonchee
;
and, hearing that the
Federals were on the retreat northward, he fell back as
far as Starkville, county seat of Oktibbeha County,
where he waited Forrest's arrival. After moving a few
miles from the main road to feed our horses our regi-
ment moved on to Okolona. There we learned that the
rest of our brigade had passed, going south. We
camped for the night near town.
Wednesday, 24th.The regiment moved down to their
old camp near Pikeville, nine miles south of Okolona.
It had been twenty-nine days since we left this camp,
and we had been in the saddle twenty-seven days out
of that twenty-nine.
TJmrsday, 2^th.After a march of some twenty miles
our regiment camped for the night within thirteen miles
of Starkville.
Friday, 26th.Moving on to Starkville, we found our
wagon train one mile and a half south of town, and
there we went into camps. The rest of our brigade
(Bell's) and Chalmers' Division arrived also.
Sunday, 28th.Bell's Brigade moved from Starkville
to Tibbee Stationthirteen mileswhich is the first sta-
tion south of West Point. We remained here for two
weeks to rest and recruit our horses, and they had, per-
haps, never needed rest before as they did just at this
time.
In the first week of March Forrest's command was
augmented by Colonels A. P. Thompson's (Third), Ed.
Crossland's (Seventh), and H. B. Lyons' (Eighth) Ken-
tucky Regiments, who, having served hitherto as infantry,
were now sent into his department to be mounted and
transferred to the cavalry arm. They were so greatly
reduced, however, all three together did not number
more than seven hundred effectives, about one third of
whom had received horses already ;
the remainder were,
as yet, to be horsed. Brigadier-General A, Buford
came with them. W. W. Faulkner's Regiment (Ken-
tuckians from McCuUoch's Brigade) and Jeffrey E. For-
rest's Regiment (now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Wisdom) were added to this Kentucky Brigade, which,
together with Bell's Brigade, constituted the Second
Division of Forrest's Cavalry, with A. Buford as divi-
sion commander; thus leaving Colonel A. P. Thompson
in command of the (Third)* Kentucky Brigade, and
Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. C, Holt in command of the
Third Kentucky Regiment. Buford assumed command
on the 8th of March, with headquarters at Tibbee Sta-
tion. Chalmers commanded the other, or First Division,
with headquarters at Mayhew Station (four miles south
of Tibbee), where the Second Brigade, McCulloch com-
manding, was established on the 6th
;
also the Seventh
Tennessee Cavalry (Colonel Duckworth), of the First,
or Richardson's Brigade, the other three regiments of
which had been previously detached in the direction of
Grenada.
In this reorganization of Forrest's Cavalry the brig-
ade which had been commanded by the lamented Colo-
nel
J.
E. Forrest was divided up among the other brig-
ades
;
so the four brigades above named contained all
of Forrest's command.
*
Bell's was now the Fourth Brigade.
Febkuart, 1864. 333
As the Second Tennessee had as yet only seven com-
panies, three splendid companies of West Tennesseans
were added about this time in order to fill out the regiment
to ten companies. These three companies were well
officered, and the men were gentlemen as well as good
soldiers. These three companies had been raised in
Obion and Weakley counties in the latter part of
1863
and the beginning of
1864,
and when attached to our
regiment became Companies H, I, and K. The two
first named were transferred from Russell's Regiment.
The following rolls of said companies have been copied
from the muster rolls which were made out at Tupelo,
Mississippi, May loth, 1864,
and are now in the Con-
federate archives at Washington City:*
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY H.
B. Edwards, Captain,
J.
Bedford, First Lieutenant.
E. Lasiter, Second Lieutenant.
J.
L. Stubblefield, Third Lieutenant.
R. Woody, First Sergeant.
J.
D. W. Barton, Second Sergeant.
C. S. Brown, Third Sergeant.
J. J.
Dreemon, Fourth Sergeant.
A. Miller, Fifth Sergeant.
J.
W. C. Harmon, First Corporal.
F. M. Smelledge, Second Corporal.
F. H. Edwards, Third Corporal.
Q. C. King, Fourth Corporal.
Bedford, A. A. Carter,
J.
L.
Brown,
J.
R. Crocket, E. B.
Burton, Wesley. Climar,
J.
A.
Brown, James.
Cummings, V. B.
Barnett, F.

Cummings,
John.
Baird, R. H. Crutchfield, F.
Baird, James.
Cardell, W. A.
*
I am under obligations to the Secretary of War, Hon. Wni. C. Endicott^
for copies of the above named rolls.
Carter, M. E.
Collier, D.
Callicoat,
J-
H.
Crutchfield, 1.
Coachran, O. A.
Davis, P. M.
Davis,
J.
C.
Freeman, R. W.
Caloway, H. B.
Grisham, A. A.
Granger, John E.
Harriss, Van.
Hoosier, A.
Holloway, R.
Hazlerigg, A.
J.
Harrison,
J.
B.
Hallen,
J.
A.
Inpian, Tho. B.
Jacobs, Hugh.
Jacobs,
Robert.
Jeffress, P. D.
King, P. C.
Kindell, W.
Miller, W. M.
Mangrum,
J.
E.
McAdams, I. K.
Noah, P. D.
Porter,
J.
W.
Porch, S. M.
Rodman, T. W.
Robinson, B. B.
Reed, G. W.
Rine, G. C.
Stacy, D. B.
Shore,
J. J.
Smith, P. H.
Summers, B. F.
Tomlinson, F. M.
Vardell, R. B.
Vaughn, A.
J.
Wilson, S. H.
Wade, H. I.
Wade, S. M.
Wright, John.
Young,
J.
M.
The following names, not on the above named muster
roll, I find on the roll made out
June 30, 1864:
Canady, John. Fields, N. W.
Cook, John. Osburn, William.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY I.
S. H. Reeves, Captain.
William Lattimer, First Lieutenant.
J.
H. Bittick, Second Lieutenant.
W. C. Roberts, Third Lieutenant.
A. L. Boyett, First Sergeant.
M. Rosson, Second Sergeant.
J.
C. Hamilton, Third Sergeant.
N. K. Moore, Fourth Sergeant.
S. A. Williamson, Fifth Sergeant.
February, 1864. 335
G. T.
C. B.
W. B.
J.
W.
Alexander,
J.
H.
Bittick, N. D.
Bittick, John.
Boyett, G. T.
Boyett, T. F.
Branham, W. G.
Coatney,
J.
H.
Carter,
J.
L.
Clark, A. S.
Clark, L. P.
Cary, P. S.
Culberson, W. M.
Cloar, William.
Cloar,
J.
A.
Cloar, T. C.
Cloar,
J.
E.
Cowsert, I. W.
Cowsert, W. S.
Dozier, I. N.
Dozier,
J. J.
Dozier, W. A.
Dillon, H.
Fullerton, R. B.
Fentress, G. W.
Fletcher, T.
J.
Glover,
J.
T.
-Glover, P. T.
Glover, G. W.
Gallaway, H. B.
Glisson, T. H.
Grey,
J.
Glover, Thomas.
Hudson, B. W.
Howell,
J.
W.
. Harrison,
J.
W.
Hargett,
J.
A.
Howard, G. G.
Brownlow, First Corporal.
Howell, Second Corporal.
Molett, Third Corporal.
McDaniel, Fourth Corporal.
Johnson, D. C.
Johnson, Sol.
Jones, R. T.
Kerr, E. B.
Kerr, William,
Lassiter, R. A.
Lattimer, T.
J.
Lattimer, D. A.
Lattimer,
J.
S.
Lattimer, Alex.
Lasley,
J.
T.
Moffatt,
J.
F.
Moppin,
J.
A.
Morrow, W. L.
Macksey, C.
Masters, W. H.
Owen, A. I.
Powell, R. W.
Pickard, L. P.
Reeves,
J.
H.
Rust,
J.
A.
Rust, S. A.
Rosson, Samuel.
Smith, C. W.
Smith, S. R.
Teaton, H. C.
Tilghman, E. C.
Watts, C. H.
West, A. G.
West,
J.
W.
Williams,
J.
G.
WilHams, F.
Williams, B. F.
Williams,
J.
S.
Walker, E.
Wright, H. W.
I learn from muster roll of Company I, made out
June
30th, 1.864,
th^-t William Lattimer (First Lieutenant),
J.
H. Bittick (Second Lieutenant), A. L. Boyett (First
Sergeant), M. Rosson (Second Sergeant), and C. B.
Howell (Second Corporal) were transferred to infantry
on the 23d of May, 1864. The vacancies thus made
were filled as follows:
J.
C. Hamilton was made First
Lieutenant;
J.
W. Howell, First Sergeant; P. T. Glover,
Second Sergeant; and N. B. Molett, Second Corporal.
The following are the names of those found on mus-
ter roll of June
30th, not on roll of May loth, 1864:
Carter, G. L.
Howell,
J.
B.
Clendenning, W. Moody, West.
Cook, Frank.
Wright, Y.
Hamilton, A. B.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K.
O. B. Farris, Captain.
J.
W. Neel, First Lieutenant.
F. M. McRee, Second Lieutenant.
Henry Prior, Third Lieutenant.
H. D. Fox, First Sergeant.
Wellington Scearce, Second Sergeant.
T. H. N. Adams, Third Sergeant,
C. P. Edwards, Fourth Sergeant.
W.
J.
F. Ragan, Fifth Sergeant.
William Polk, First Corporal.
A. M. Perry, Second Corporal.
Henry Walker, Third Corporal.
Henry Killion, Fourth Corporal.
Adams, R. F. Curry, Samuel.
Allison, R. William. Collin, Robert.
Benton, W. E. Campbell, T.
J.
Baker, S. A. Carroll, C. H.
Bartlett, William. Caruthers, S. L.
Bradford, C. G. Calhoon,
J.
W.
Buckhanan,
J.
M. Darbin,
J.
A.
February, 1864. 337
Edwards, William.
Everett, W. T.
Fuzzell,
J.
H.
Fuzzell, Green.
Flemming,
J.
R.
Flemming, B. W.
Farris, B. F.
Green, Obed.
Haily,
J-
W.
Head, F. S.
Head,
J.
W.
Hill, S.
J.
Hill, A. N.
Hughes,
J.
W.
Hutchinson,
J.
M.
Hickman,
J.
S.
Hubbard, John.
Hays, Jacob.
Inman, I. F.
Inman, F.
Johnson, T. H.
Kisterson,
J.
H.
Killion,
J.
D.
Killion, Robert.
I learn from muster roll made out
June 30th,
1864,
that the following promotions were made
June
ist: F.
McRee was promoted from Second Lieutenant to First
Lieutenant; W. H. Farris Company C, Seventh Tennes-
see Cavalry, to Second Lieutenant in the above compa-
ny
;
Wellington Scearce, from Second Sergeant to Third
Lieutenant
;
John
Pryor, from private to First Sergeant;
and Henry Killion from Fourth Corporal to Second
Sergeant.
Company K was recruited as follows in May,
1864.
Anthony, John.
Brown,
J.
R.
Baker,
J.
S. Blankenship, H. E.
Brown, H. R. Bennett, W. H.
32
McRee, T. F.
Mooring,
J.
W.
Mooring, C. T.
Miller, R. W.
Moffatt,
J.
C.
McKay, R. F.
McKay, W.
J.
Polk, James.
Parks, H. B.
Phillips, Robert.
Phillips, Samuel.
Peacock, CM.
Riley,
J.
H.
Roach, S. M.
Reeves,
J. J.
Raynolds, Saylor.
Sinclair,
J.
S.
Smith, John.
Singleton, Green.
Tliompson, Thomas.
Thompson, Samuel.
Wells, G. W.
Youree, William.
Bolton, H. C. Inman, T. B.
Cunningham, E. F. Jackson, R. H.
Cage,
J.
E. Lawson, S. P.
Crockett, R. Moultrie, L.
Dougherty, Sam. Prior, John.
Davis, P. Smith, William.
Davidson, O.
J.
W. Sandling, John.
Farris, W. H. Tucker, G. L.
Glasscock, L. O.
Tucker,
J.
W.
Grisham, George A. Wilson, W. A.
Garrison, O.
J.
Walker, W.
Hunter,
J.
S.
Szmday, March i^th.Chalmers' Division, at this time
commanded by Colonel McCulloch, was ordered by Gen-
eral Forrest to return to Panola. Colonel Duckworth's
Regiment, from Richardson's Brigade, and McDonald's
Battalion, from McCulloch's Brigade, remained on the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad to accompany General Forrest
on another expedition into West Tennessee and, if pos-
sible, into Western Kentucky ; to which he was incited
by several motives
:
FirstBuford's Kentuckians were in pressing need
of clothing and horses ; he therefore desired to give
that command an opportunity to refit in their own State.
SecondThe Tennesseans brought out in December
were also, for the most part, in great need of clothing,
and had left their homes so suddenly as to make it im-
portant that they likewise should be indulged in a brief
visit to that region.
ThirdHe wished to do all that he could to distract,
harass and hurt the enemy in his field of command.
Forrest's headquarters were now, and had been since
the 27th of February, at Columbus.
Monday, 14th. All needful preparations for the con-
templated expedition northward being now completed
March, 1864.
339
Bell's Brigade took up the line of march from their
camp near Tibbee Station. Moving- west some seven
miles to a bridge across Tibbee Creek, and thence about
thirteen miles along the Okolona road, the brigade
camped for the night west of the railroad.
Tuesday, i^th. General F'orrest and his staff and es-
cort set out northward from Columbus this
morning.
Thompson's Brigade, Duckworth's
Regiment
(Seventh)
and McDonald's Battalion were also put in motion
along
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Continuing
its
march
along the Okolona road, Bell's Brigade
camped
five
miles south of that place.
Wednesday, /d///.Bell's Brigade marched
on through
and camped eight miles north of Okolona.
Thursday^, ijth.Our brigade moved on to Tupelo,
where we found General Buiord with the rest of our
division. General Forrest set out with his escort
Sev-
enth Tennessee and McDonald's Battalionthat morn-
ing from Tupelo, with two days' rations of corn,
on their
horses, for Jackson, Tennessee. Going by the way of
Corinth he arrived at the former place the 20th.
Friday, /c?///.Faulkner's Regiment, being
detached
from Thompson's Brigade and thrown out on the left
flank, crossed the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad at
Pocahontas, and thence, through Bolivar, on to Den-
mark, west of Jackson. The rest of Buford's
Division
went by the way of Corinth. However, as the Second
Tennessee moved detached from the division, though
on the same general line of march, we will follow it only
through its daily marches until it meets "with the divis-
ion again.
After a march of about twenty -five miles our regi-
ment camped seven miles west of Baldwin. We carried
no corn on our horses, but foraged off of the country
through which we passed. I suppose that that is the
main reason why we moved detached.
Saturday, igth.In the saddle early. Marching some
thirty-five miles we camped within five miles of Corinth.
Sunday, 20th.Crossing the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad at Corinth, and the State line a little north of
that place, thence continuing our course nearly north,
our regiment bivouacked three miles east of Purdy, the
county seat of McNairy County, Tennessee. Marched
some twenty-five miles.
Monday, 21st. Our regiment passed through and
camped four miles north of Mifflin, in the western part
of Henderson County.
Tuesday, 22d.After h.e had marched at)Out fifteen
miles Colonel Barteau came up with the rest of Buford's
Division at a country village called Spring Creek, in the
northern portion of Madison County, south of Middle
Forked Deer River, twelve miles north-east of Jackson.
After directing General Buford to send Colonel Wilson,
with five companies of his regiment and all the dis-
mounted Kentuckians who were unable to make the
march northward, to Jackson to occupy that place dur-
ing the expedition, Forrest repaired to Trenton with his
staff, escortthe Seventh Tennesseeand Faulkner's
Regiment.
Wednesday, 2jd.Detaching the Seventh Tennessee,
McDonald's Battalion and Faulkner's Regiment, under
Colonel Duckworth, to move upon Union City and cap-
ture any Federal force there, Forrest set out for Padu-
cah with his escort and the rest of Buford's Division,
which, after a march of some thirty-seven miles, camped
(half after ten p. m.) fifteen miles north-east of Trenton,
on the Dresden road.
March, 1864. 341
Thursday, z^^th Passing through Dresden and Duke-
dom we bivouacked about four miles south of Mayfield
(near midnight), in Graves County, Kentucky. Marched
forty- two miles.
Friday, 2^th.
-We only had about twenty-six miles

to ride before reaching our point of destinationPadu-
cah. Thompson's Brigade marched in front and Bell's
in the rear, with four pieces of artillery between. As
Colonel Thompson was goi?ig home he moved at quite a
lively gait. The artillery had to move very rapidly down
grade and on level road in order to make up time lost in
going up grade. Therefore, our brigade moved at a
gallop the greater portion of that twenty-six miles. We
had, perhaps, never done as hard riding, for the same
distance, as we did that day. A gentle shower of rain
that was falling at the time was a great advantage in
keeping our horses cooled off. We arrived before Padu-
cah about two p. m.
Forrest dashed into town with his advance guard,
forcing the Federals to betake themselves, in hot haste,
to their strongholdFort Andersona large inclosed
earthwork in the western suburbs of town, about one
hundred yards from the river bank, and surrounded by
a broad, deep ditch, fringed with a strong abatis. This
formidable work was garnished with- at least six pieces
of artillery, and all the Federal troops at Paducah took
refuo-e in itfrom seven hundred to one thousand in
number. Buford, dismounting his men in an open space
a little south of west from town, threw Thompson's Bri-
o-ade forward and leftward, in the direction of the fort,
while Bell's, being on the right, moved into town. How-
ever, it was not Forrest's purpose to attack the fort, and
he gave no orders looking to such a step. But speed-
ily was heard the sound of rapid, heavy firing of small
arms and artillery in that direction, and, on sending
Captain Anderson, his aid, to ascertain the cause, that
officer, returning in a few moments, reported that an
attack had been made by Colonel Thompson with about
four hundred men of the Third and Seventh Kentucky,
which, though gallantly led and made, had been repulsed
with the loss of that distinguished officer. The fire con-
centrated upon this band of Kentuckians was too con-
suming to be endured, and Colonel Crossland, who sue-
ceeded to the command, promptly distributed his men
among the numerous houses, from the upper stories and
roofs of which they poured a deadly fire over the para-
pets of the works. Colonel Albert P. Thompson was
killed in sight of the place of his birth, the house of his
father, the home of his proud, useful manhood, the field
of his professional distinction.
Made aware of the situation, Forrest sent a positive or-
der to Buford not to attempt to storm the Federal posi-
tion, and at the same time causing a bugle to be sounded
in indication of his wish for a parley, presented a formal
demand for the surrender of the place. Colonel Hicks,
the Federal commander, flushed with his recent ad-
vantage, promptly answered the demand for his capitu-
lation with a defiant refusal. Meanwhile the Confeder-
ates had complete possession of the town itself, the
streets of which the guns of the fort and the two gun-
boats were sweeping with incessant discharges of solid
shot, shell, and grape, doing a great deal of damage to
the buildings. Scattered in detachments, Bulurd's men,
nevertheless, began to collect in the various stores, ware-
houses, and stables the clothing, supplies, and horses,
for which the operations had been chiefly undertaken
;
March, 1864. 343
and other parties were set to destroy such public prop-
erty and war material as could not be removed, includ-
ing- the quartermaster's stores, railroad depot with all
the rolling stock, and the Marine Way with the steamer
Dacotah, on the stocks for repairs.
Forrest, having closely reconnoitered the work, be-
came fully satisfied that to storm it would involve a
greater sacrifice of valuable life than would be justified
by the capture of the force that defended it, withdrew
all his troop without making any other effort to assault
the work than that which had so unfortunately resulted
in the loss of Colonel Thompson. The withdrawing
did not commence, however, until after dark, and then
it was effected by small detachments falling back to their
horses, one after another, so that the enemy would not
know when the place was evacuated. Paducah was in
possession of the Confederates from a little after two
until eleven p. m. Then Forrest moved his main force
some four miles southward and camped, taking with
him some fifty prisoners, about four hundred horses and
mules, and a very large supply of clothing and quarter-
master's subsistence, and military supplies, including
saddles and other horse equipments, for the procure-
ment of which, as I have said, the expedition had been
mainly made. The Federals continued the bombard-
ment of the town for some time after we had thus gone
into carnp.
I have seen no official reports of this affair at Paducah,
and I reo^ret to find that the writer of "Forrest's Cam-
paigns " is silent in reference to the loss of Forrest's
command.
I take the following from
J.
C. Ridpath's
"
History of
the United States," page
523
:
He [Forrest] reached Paducah, Kentucky, made an assault on Fort
Anderson in the suburbs of the town, but was repulsed with a loss of
three hundred men.*
The loss of the Second Tennessee in this affair was
two men (B. F. Odoni. Company C, and Wm. Ayers.
Company D) killed and twelve wounded ; among the
latter was our Lieutenant-Colonel, G. H. Morton, who
was severely wounded in the shoulder. Nute Carr,
Company E, S. W. Love, Company D, and Nat. C.
Pope, Company G, were also among the wounded.
Company C was very unfortunate. B. F. Odom (as
before stated) was killed, a cannon-ball taking off the
top of his head. He was a noble, kind-hearted young
man as well as a good soldier, and consequently highly
esteemed,
much beloved, and greatly missed by all his
comrades. A brick chimney, attached to a house in
which Captain McKnight and several of his company
had taken refuge, was struck by a cannon-ball, knock-
ing the inmates around at a fearful rate by the flying
and falling bricks. Captain McKnight was taken from
the debris in a lifeless condition
;
however, he soon suffi-
ciently recovered from the terrible shock (his head was
fearfully
bruised and mashed) to be brought off in a
buggy.
Two othersS. C. Odom and T. D, Elkins
were considerably hurt. Another chimney was knocked

down, falling on several of one company, though with-
*
Since writing the above I have received through the politeness of General
M.
J.
Wright, General Forrest's official report, dated "Dresden, Tenn., March
27, 1S&4,"
and addressed to
"
Lieutenant-General Polk, Demopolis
"
[Alabama],
from which I take the following:
'H-eld the town for ten hours, and could have held it longer, but
found the small-pox was raging, and evacuated the place. . . . My loss at
Union City and Paducah, as lar as known, is twenty-h\e, killed and wounded.
I hold possession of all this country except posts on the river. Think
if I can remain unmolested here fifteen days I will be able to add two thousand
men to my command."
March, 1864. 345
out serious injury to any. John
N. McKnight was
wounded in the arm by a small ball. L. VV. McKnight's
leg" was broken at the knee, and consequently had to be
amputated just above the knee. He was the only man,
except the two killed, that our company or the regiment
left in the hands of the enemy. He died soon after at
Paducah. So our company (C) lost another excellent
soldier by this Paducah affair. In fact, the company
had never suffered so great a loss in any previous en-
gagement.
Saturday, zdtli. The Federal commander, apprehen-
sive of another attack, threw out detachments from his
fortress, and set fire to a large number of buildings, in-
cluding some of the best dwellings and business houses
of the place, which, in that event, might be occupied by
hostile sharp-shooters to his annoyance. However, this
waste of property was the fruit of an idle apprehension.
At nine a. m. Forrest sent, imder a flag of truce, a
proposition for an exchange of prisoners, but this was
declined, for alleged want of authority.
Moving" fourteen miles southward Forrest bivouacked
some four miles north of Mayfield. The Third and
Seventh Kentucky Regiments were detached by squads
to repair to the several neighborhoods in South-west
Kentucky, in which they had been enrolled, to visit their
kindred, from whom they had been long separated.
They were ordered to reassemble by the end of tfie
month at or near Mayfield, Kentucky.
Sunday, 2yth.The rest of our division moved down
to Mayfield, where Buford, with six companies of the
Second Tennessee and the Eighth Kentucky remained
to await the return of the two disbanded regiments,
while Forrest, with his escort, Russell's Regiment, five
346 E R.. Hancock's Diary.
companies of Wilson's, and four (including the three
companies from West Tennessee) of the Second Ten-
nessee, proceeded southward to Trenton, Tennessee.
As Wilson's and Russell's men belonged in that vicinity,
they were allowed to visit their families and friends, and
to procure summer clothing. So Forrest's command
was now well scattered over West Tennessee and Ken-
tucky and Northern Mississippi.
Colonel Duckworth, who was detached at Trenton on
the 23d to move upon Union City with less than five
hundred men, appeared in front of that place before
daylight on the morning of the 24th, and discovered by
the light of some burning buildings that the Federals
were strongly entrenched in a square redoubt. A close
and vigorous investment ensued, however, and for sev-
eral hours there was a good deal of sharp-shooting,
while Faulkner's Kentuckians made a charge to within
twenty or thirty yards of the work. Without artillery,
and the force within the works being equal in numbers
to his own. Colonel Duckworth now resorted to the 7'use
of presenting a peremptory demand for the surrender of
the position in the name of General Forrest. The Fed-
eral commander. General Hawkins, who had surrendered
to Forrest in December, 1862, asked time to consider,
and besought, moreover, a personal interview with For-
rest, which, of course, was impracticable. Duckworth,
therefore, cleverly answered in the name of his chief,
that other important military movements would not
allow any time for deliberation ; that the answer must
be, therefore, immediate and conclusive; that he (For-
rest) was not in the habit of meeting officers inferior in
rank to himself under fiagf of truce, but would send
Colonel Duckworth, an officer of equal rank, clothed
April, 1864. 347
with power to arrange torms, and any arrangement
made by him would be strictly observed. The inter-
view took place, and the capitulation was therefore
made at eleven a. m., and four hundred and seventy-five
men, with their arms and ammunition, camp and garri-
son equipage, and three hundred horses were the results
of this adroitly-managed stratagem.
Tuesday, 2gth.General Buford, with the Eighth
Kentucky (perhaps a part of them had been disbanded
to visit relatives and friends) and six companies of the
Second Tennessee, moved out about seven miles south-
west of Mayfield.
Wednesday, jo//^.Moving southward he camped
within some two and a half miles of Dukedom, which
is on or near the line between Kentucky and Tennessee.
Thursday,
Jist.
After a short march, about three
miles, we camped half a mile south of Dukedom.
Friday, April ist. The most of the Kentuckians
having returned to their colors by this time, Buford now
took up the line of march for Trenton, halting for the
nitrht
at Dresden, fifteen miles south of Dukedom, in
Weakley County, Tennessee.
Saturday, 2d.Marching about twenty-three miles a
little west of south, crossino- the south fork of the Obion
River, Buford camped within three or four miles of
Trenton, in Gibson County.
Sunday, jd.Buford established the headquarters of
his division at Trenton, while Colonel Barteau, with six
companies of his regiment, went thirteen miles further
west and encamped near Eaton, where he remained one
week. While here he was rejoined by the four com-
panies that had been detached at Mayfield, Kentucky.
And also Wilson's and Russell's Regiments reassembled
at this camp near Eaton.
Faulkner's Regiment rejoined the Kentucky Brigade
at Trenton, and also the dismounted Kentuckians, who,
being unable to accompany the expedition to Paducah,
had been left nieanwhile at Jackson.
While at Trenton, Butord having noticed in a northern
newspaper the statement that the horses which had been
recently carried off from Paducah belonged exclusively
to the citizens, while those of the United States had es-
caped by their adroit concealment in an old foundry or
rolling-mill in the outskirts of the town, acquainted For-
rest with the circumstances, and requested and obtained
authority to return at once with the Kentucky Brigade,
or some eight hundred of them, and complete his re-
mounts.
Setting out on the 8th Buford was in the vicinity of
Columbus on the 1 2th, when he detached two companies
to make a vigorous demonstration on the Federal posi-
tion at that place, with the hope of thus drawing thither
reinforcements and distracting the movements of the
Federal forces. Other detachments were also thrown
out, especially at points on the Tennessee River, and on
the 14th Buford, with his main force, suddenly appeared
at Paducah about one p. m. Boldly entering the town,
he sent a detachment to the rolling-mill to search for
horses, and another to investigate the quartermaster
and subsistence store-houses. Some one hundred and
forty excellent horses were soon found concealed, as had
been anticipated, but, for the most part, the subsistence
and other supplies had been removed across the river
that day in anticipation of an attack. Meanwhile a
furious bombardment had been opened on the town
from the fort and four gunboats, but no movement was
made on the part of the Federal commander to throw
April, 1864. 349
his troops from their cover. Buforcl's next measure was
now to beguile, his adversary with the apprehension of
a serious attack. So he formally notified the Federal
commander of his intention to attack him, and granted
a truce for one hour for the purpose of moving the
women and children. This was accepted, and the navy
officers begran to remove the women and children to the
Illinois shore. Meanwhile Buford began to withdraw
southward with his main force and spoils, leaving Faulk-
ner to threaten the place for some hours longer, and
then retire westward on the road to Blandville, to con-
tinue the deception as to the objects and the strength
of these Confederate movements. Buford himself fell
back slowly to Dresden on the i8th, and established his
headquarters there until the 30th, under orders from
General Forrest, for the purpose of recruiting and pro-
curing additional artillery and cavalry horses.
While on his way to Paducah- about the time he was
leaving JacksonForrest ordered Chalmers, who was at
Panola, Mississippi, to send the First Brigade (now un-
der Colonel
J. J.
Neely, Richardson having been re-
lieved from command) into West Tennessee, with in-
structions to take post at or about Brownsville. Accord-
ingly Neely, getting in motion on the 25th of March,
was at Bolivar on the 29th, and there met, engaged,
and completely routed a Federal force under Hurst,
killing about twenty and capturing some thirty and their
wagon train (five wagons and teams) and two ambu-
lances, with their contents, including fifty thousand
rounds of ammunition, much needed, as it happened, by
the Confederates at the time.
Hearing that Grierson had been detached with a heavy
cavaky force from Memphis to operate upon Forrest's
rear, General Chalmers, leaving two battalions to guard
the crossing of the Tallahatchie, crossed into West Ten-
nessee with the remainder of McCulloch's Brigade, at
or near LaGrange, on the 29th of March, and was at
Bolivar early on the next day. Meanwhile the prison-
ers accumulated in the course of the expedition at Jack-
son, some six hundred in number, were detached en route
for Demopolis, Alabama, under a strong escort, in the
direction of Corinth. Hearing of large bodies of Fed-
eral troops in that quarter, the officer in command turned
riirhtward, toward Pocahontas, and Chalmers' Division
was likewise detached, to insure their safe conveyance
beyond the dangerous ground of the line of the Mem-
phis and Charleston Railroad. After safely conveying
the prisoners across the border Chalmers' Division re-
turned northwardMcCulloch's Brigade to Jackson,
and
Neely's to Brownsville and Sommerville.
General Grierson was sent forth from Memphis with
perhaps two thousand cavalry to feel, attack and crip-
ple Forrest as much as possible. On the 3d of April
Lieutenant-Colonel Crews, with sixty of McDonald's
Battalion, came in contact with a part of this force some
twenty-five miles from Memphis, on the Sommerville
road, and by adroitly displaying his colors and men, as
well as by bold attacks, he so completely deceived the
enemy as to make him believe that Forrest's whole com-
mand was upon him, and a hasty retreat back to Mem-
phis was the result, with the destruction of all the bridges
behind him, leaving Crews in possession of the field.
Grierson reported to General Hurlbut that
"
Forrest was
a little too strong for him," when, as incredible as it
may seem, he had come in conflict with no part of For-
rest's command but Crews and his sixty men.*
*A full account of this affair may be found in "Campaigns of General For-
rest," pages 420-22.
April, 1864. 351
SiLuday, loth.Ever since his advent into West Ten-
nessee Forrest had been distressed by well-authenticated
instances, repeatedly brought to his notice, of rapine
and atrocious outrage upon non-combatants of the coun-
try by the garrison at Fort Pillow. According to the
information received the garrison in question consisted
of a battalion of whites commanded by Major Bradford
(a Tennessean), and a negro battalion under Major
Booth, who likewise commanded the post. Many of
Bradford's men (West Tennesseans) were known to be
deserters from the Confederate army. The families of
many of Forrest's men had been grievously wronged,
despoiled and insulted by detachments of Bradford's
men, and many of his (Forrest's) officers, uniting with
the citizens of the country, in a petition beggeci to be
permitted to remain to shield their families from further
molestation. This was impossible, of course ; but P or-
rest determined to break up their lair, and capture or
destroy them before leaving that section of the country
for other operations ; and the orders necessary to that
end were issued on the above date from his headquar-
ters at Jackson, Bell's Brigade of Buford's Division and
McCulloch's Brigade of Chalmers' Division, with Wal-
ton's Batteryfour mountain-howitzersbeing selected
for the operation, Chalmers with McCulloch's Brigade
set out at once from Jackson by way of Brownsville;
but as Bell's Brigade was camped near Eaton, in Gibson
County, some thirty miles from Jackson, and as a courier
had to be sent from the latter place to notify Bell of the
move, he did not get his brigade in motion until about
nine p. m., and then only to mount and move out into
the road and wait until about midnight for the artillery,
which had to come through a very bad bottom. Then,
moving about ten miles south, Bell halted, about one
hour before day, and allowed his men to take a short
nap. (They had the pleasure of only about one hour's
sleep out of sixty.)
Monday, nth.In motion early Bell halted to feed
about ten a. m., after which he pressed on in rear of
McCulloch's Brigade.
Forrest, leaving Jackson that morning, overtook Chal-
mers at Brownsville at two v. m., and ordered that officer
to push ahead with the troops by a forced march, so
that they might be in close proximity to Fort Pillow by
daylight the next morning. The distance was thirty-
eight miles. It was raining, and so dense was the dark-
ness after midnight that it was difficult to distinguish
the road or "to see a file-leader." Nevertheless, onward
and onward pushed Chalmerswith McCulloch's Bri-
gade still in advanceand just before dawn on Tues-
day, Ap'ril 1 2th, his advance guard surprised the Federal
pickets and captured all except one or two, who, escap-
ing to the fort just at sunrise, gave the first warning of
the danger impending. Thus Bell's Brigade had made
the trip from Eaton to F'ort Pillowabout seventy
milesin thirty hours. McCulloch's men had decidedly
the advantage of Bell's, from the fact that by getting
well on their way Sunday they got to rest Sunday night,
while, as we have seen, Bell's men were in the saddle
nearly all night, and then also Monday and Monday
night, resulting in many of Bell's men being made sick.
Fort Pillow, first established in 1861 by the State of
Tennessee, and still better fortified by the Confederate
States Engineers, under the orders of General Beaure-
gard, in March and April, 1862, is on the east bank of
the Mississippi River, in Lauderdale County, some three
April, 1864. 353
and a half miles above Fulton, and just below the mouth
of Coal Creek. The lines of works erected by the Con-
federates were upon a very extended scalefar too large
to be of the least use or value to a garrison so small as
that which the Federals habitually kept there, there-
fore they had freshly thrown up breastworks upon the
highest part
perhaps fifty feet above the water level
-
of a bank or bluff which extended for several hundred
yards nearly parallel with the river, leaving a space,
comparatively level, between its base and the river bank
proper, perhaps thirty to fifty yards wide. The fort was
near the southern extremity of this bluff, it being the
hiighest, and about seventy-five yards from the river.
About one acre of land was inclosed by earth works
thrown up on three sidesnorth, south, and east. The
wall was about eight feet high, exterior to which there
was a ditch six feet deep and twelve feet broad.* East-
ward there was a gradual slope from the fort for from
forty to fifty yards, when the descent became sudden
into a narrow gorge which, extending northward four
or five hundred yards, thence westward to Coal Creek,
thus separated the bluff upon which the fort stood from
a labyrinth of hills and ridges, divided from each other
by a net-work of interlacing, narrow ravines, and this
slope was broken by several crooked and deep gullies,
affording well-covered approaches for an enemy to within
thirty to one hundred yards of the fort. Southward,
this eminence also fell off gently for about two hundred
yards, and then rapidly into a narrow valley, the course
of which was perpendicular to the river, and in which
were a number of trading houses and other buildings
As I failed to take these measurements while at the work, I have adopted
the above from "Campaigns of General Forrest."
23
known as the town. This slope was seamed by a ravine
which gave hostile access to within one hundred and
fifty yards of the southern face of the works.

Between
this ravine and the fort were three or four rows of tents
and cabins, and rightward from these, stretched around
to the north for some two hundred yards a rifle-pit along
the eastern verge of the acclivity. The armament con-
sisted of two ten-pounder Parrott rifled guns, two twelve-
pounder howitzers, and two six-pounder rifled-bore field,
pieces, and the whole garrison did not exceed five hun-
dred and eighty men. One gunboatNew Erawas
present and took part in the defense. The timber was
cut down for several hundred yards in front of the fort.
Upon the capture of the pickets, McCulloch's Brigade
was pressed rapidly on with instructions to take up a
position southward of the fort, and as near as possible
to the river bank and work; therefore, McCulloch soon
seized a position with his left flank on the river bank,
about half a mile southward of the fort, the remainder
of his line disposed in the ravines extending around and
toward the north-east, in close proximity to a high ridge
upon which were the old Confederate works, the most
elevated
point of which was occupied at the time by a
Federal
detachment. He then and there came to a halt
to wait for Bell's Brigade (which was about two miles
from the fort when the Federal guns first opened, a little
after
sunrise) to come up and take position. As soon
as up
Wilson's Regiment of Bell's Brigade was deployed
directly in front to occupy the close attention of the
garrison by an immediate, vigorous skirmish, while Col-
onel
Barteau led the Second Tennessee rightward, wind-
ing his way as best he could through the woods to Coal
Creek bottom, and there dismounting threw his men
April, 1864. 355
forward to a good position a few hundred yards north of
the fort along the north-east face of a hill. From this
position skirmishers were thrown forward to brush the
small force of Federal sharp-shooters back from their
advanced positions
;
this drew the Federal guns from
both fort and gunboat upon our position. Meanwhile
Colonel Russell threw his regiment forward to a position
between Barteau and Wilson. The investment was now
complete, though it was at long range ; and about this
time, too (nine a. m.). General Forrest came upon the
field, and about the same hour Major Booth, the Federal
commander, and his adjutant by his side, were killed.
Coming immediately to our position,* thence along the
top of the bluff upon which the fort stood. General For-
rest made as close an inspection of the fort and its sur-
roundings as he possibly could, thus ascertaining that
the conformation of the ground around the Federal works
(as previously described) was such as to afford protection
to his troops, while two ridges, from four to five hundred
yards distant, eastward and north-eastward from the
enemy's position, gave the Confederate
sharp-shooters
excellent cover, from which they completely
commanded
the interior of the Federal works, and might effectually
silence their fire. He therefore decided at once to make
a close investment, returned to our position and ordered
Colonel Barteau to
"
move up." Accordingly the Second
Tennessee "moved up" to the top of the bluff and
opened fire upon the Federal garrison. By dropping
over a little to the right and moving along the side of
the bluff facing the" river, it gave us some protection
from the garrison, while at the same time this move
The writer heard Forrest remark as he passed :
"
There are not manywe
must take them."
placed us in easy range and plain view of the gunboat,
which moved up as we moved down, and when about
opposite to us she turned broadside as though she was
going to give us "Hail Columbia;" however, after
maneuvering around for a while, as though she was try-
ing to scare us off of that bluff without firing a gun, she
finally came to a halt several hundred yards above the
fort, and (to our great relief) remained a
"
i-z7^/2/ spec-
tator'' during the rest of the engagement.* Moving
along this bluff to within about one hundred yards ot
the north side of the fort
perhaps some were nearer
Colonel Barteau halted and waited for the rest of the

command to close up.
After advancing a short distance with our regiment,
Forrest turned and went round leftward to move up the
rest of Bell's Brigade as well as McCulloch's. Accord-
ingly Russell's and Wilson's Regiments were thrown
forward, to the left of Barteau's, to a position in which
their men were well sheltered by the conformation of
the ground. McCulloch, advancing about the same
time, soon brushed the Federals back from the old Con-
federate
intrenchments, on the highest part of the ridge
immediately in front of the south-eastern face of the
work. The Federals fell back without further stand to
their main work and the rifle-pit in its front, closely
pressed by McCulloch, who seized and occupied the
cluster of cabins on the southern face of the work, which
were only about sixty yards from it, foiling an attempt
on the part of the enemy to burn the buildings. He
also carried and occupied the rrfle-pit rightward, thus
*I do not know why Captain Marshall, the commander of the gunboat,
ceased firing when he could have used his guns with such telling effect upon our
regiment, unless it was because he was scarce of ammunition or afraid to open
his port-holes, fearing we would kill his gunners.
April, 1804.
357
completing the investment at short range, extending
from the river banlv north of the fort to the river bank
south. These positions thus secured were fatal to the
defense, for the Confederates were now so placed that
artillery could not be brought to bear upon them with
much effect, except at a mortal exposure of the gun-
ners, while rearward of the advance line were numer-
ous sharp-shooters, favorably posted on several com-
manding ridges, ready to pick off any of the garrison
showing their heads above, or, indeed, any men moving
about within the circuit of, the parapets. Fully satisfied
of his ability to carry the position without difficulty or
delay, but desiring to avoid the loss of life that must
occur in storming the works, Forrest determined to de-
mand the surrender of the place. Accordingly, caus-
ing the signal for a cessation of hostilities to be given,
he deputed Captain W. A. Goodman, Adjutant-General
on the staff of General Chalmers, to bear a flag of truce
with a formal demand in writing,* addressed to "Major
L. F. Booth, commanding United States forces," as he
was thought to be still in command. However, as we
have seen, he had been dead for several hours, and the
command had fallen into the feeble hands of W. F.
Bradford, the commander of the odious Thirteenth Ten-
nessee Battalion of Cavalry. Nevertheless, the answer
received, after some delay, bore the name of Major L.
F. Booth, and required an hour for consultation with
his officers and those of the gunboat in regard to the
demand for the surrender of his post and the vessel.
On receiving this communication Forrest immediately
*After some discussion among the officers present it was agreed by both For-
rest and Chalmers, "that if the port was surrendered the whole garrison,
white and black, should be treated as prisoners of war."
"Campaigns of Gen-
eral Forrest," page
431.
358 li. R. Hancock's Diary.
replied, in writing, that he had not asked for, and did
not expect, the surrender of the gunboat, but that of
the fort and garrison, and that he would give twenty
minutes for a decision. Moreover, so great was the an-
imosity existing between the Tennesseans of the two
commands, he added, that he could not be respo7isible
for
the conseque?ices
if
obliged to storm the place.
During the period of the truce the smoke of several
steamers* were discovered ascending the river; and
speedily one crowded with troops, and her lower guards
filled with artillery, was distinctly seen approaching, near
at hand, and manifestly bearing directly for the be-
leaguered fortress. Apprehensive that an attempt would
be made to land reinforcements from these steamers,
Forrest promptly dispatched his aid-de-camp. Captain
Anderson, with a squadron of McCulloch's Brigade,
down to the river bank under the bluff and just below
the southern face of the invested work. And the Olive
Branch, in her course, soon came so near that by open-
ing with a volley on the mass of men with whom she
was laden a heavy loss of life must have been inflicted
;
but Captain Anderson, limiting himself strictly to pre-
venting the landing of any reinforcements during the
truce, caused two or three admonitory shots to be fired
at the pilot-house, with the immediate effect of making
her sheer off to the opposite shore, and pass on up the
river.
Some minutes later the answer to the second demand
was brought out of the fort and handed to Forrest by
Captain Goodman. It ran as follows: "Your demand
does not produce the desired effect." The Confederate
*
These were the Olive Branch, with General Shipley and troops on board,
the Hope, and the M. R. Cheek.
April, 18G4. 359
General exclaimed: "This will not do; send it back,
and say to Major Booth
"
whose name was attached
^'that I must have an answer in plain English
yes or
no!" Captain Goodman returned not long after with
the Federal answer, a brief but positive refusal to sur-
render the post. As soon as he had read this communi-
cation, turning to his staff and some officers around him,
Forrest ordered that his whole force should be put in
readiness for an immediate and simultaneous assault.
After stimulating his troops with a few energetic words
he, with a single bugler, rode to a commanding emi-
nence, some four or five hundred yards east of the fort,
from which he had a complete view of the field of oper-
ations, and, scanning the field, and observing that all
was ready, caused the signal to be given for the resump-
tion of hostilities ; and at the first blare of the bugle
the Confederate sharp-shooters, at all points, opened
a galling fire upon the hostile parapet, to which the gar-
rison replied for a few moments with great spirit. But
so deadly was the aim of the Confederates from their
enfilading positions that their enemies could not rise
high enough from their scanty cover to fire over at their
foes, nor use their artillery on the southern face without
being shot down. Consequently there was practically
little resistance, when, a few moments later, the bugle
still sounding the charge, the main Confederate force,
surging onward as with a single impulse, leaped head-
long into the ditch, and, helping each other, they clam-
bered nimbly, swiftly and simultaneously over the breast-
works beyond, opening from its crest a fearful, converg-
ing fire, from all its forces, upon its garrison within.
In anticipation of this contingency Major Bradford,
it appears, had arranged with the captain of the gun-
boat that, if beaten at the breastworks, the garrison
would drop down under the bank and the gunboat would
come to their succor and shelter them with its canister.
The prearranged signal was now given, and the whole
garrison, white and black, for the most part with arms
in their hands, broke for the place of refuge and naval
aid there expected, leaving the Federal flag still aloft
on its staff.* The gunboat, however, was recreant at
this critical moment, and failed to give the least assist-
ance ; and no timely shower of canister came from its
ports to drive back the Confederates, who swiftly and
hotly followed after the escaping negroes and Tennes-
seans. As soon as we entered the fort two of the cap-
tured gunsf
were turned upon the gunboat, which
caused her to move further up the river in place of com-
ing to the relief of the garrison, as her commander had
distinctly agreed to do. The left of the Second Ten-
nessee entered the fort at the north-west corner, while
the right extended westward down the bluff toward the
river; and while they were pouring a volley into the
right flank of the retreating Federals, the troops that
had been stationed below the fort to watch the steam-
ers did likewise for the enemy's left flank. Thus being
exposed to a fire from both flanks, as well as rear, their
ranks were fearfully thinned as they fled down that blufl
toward the river. Finding that the succor which they
had been promised from the gunboat was not rendered,
*
Doak Can- (Company D, Second Tennessee) took down the Federal flag.
tSo well was one of these guns handled by B. A. High (who was afterward
made Orderly Sergeant, Company G, Second Tennessee) that Forrest offered to
promote him to the rank of Captain and allow him to go with the captured guns
to Mobile, Alabama. He declined to take the command of the battery from the
fact that he was not willing to leave his comrades. He would have accepted if
Forrest had kept the battery with his own command.
April, 18G4. 361
nor at hand, they were greatly bewildered. Many threw
themselves into the river and were drowned in their mad
attempt to swim away from the direful danger which,
they apprehended ; while others sought to escape along
the river bank southward, as well as northward, and,
still persisting in their efforts to get away, were shot or
driven back. In the meantime, or as soon as he could
reach the scene, Forrest, as well as Chalmers and other
officers, interfered so energetically to stop the firing
that it ceased speedilyceased, in fact, within fifteen
minutes from the time the bugle first sounded the charge.
The earrison, as a whole, be it remembered, did ?ioi sur-
render at all. When we poured over, on all sides, into
the work they did not yielddid not lay down their
arms nor draw dov^n their fiag, but fied (some returning
the fire of their pursuers) toward another position in
which they were promised relief. Such was the animos-
ity between the Tennesseans of the two commands, and
as such is frequently the case in places taken by storm,
some, no doubt, were shot after they had thrown down
their arms and besought quarter; no such cases, how-
ever, happened to come under the immediate observa-
tion of the writer. The first order now issued by For-
rest was to collect and secure the prisoners from possi-
ble injury, while details were made from them for the
burial of the Federal dead. Among the prisoners taken
unhurt was Major Bradford, the commanding officer of
the post since nine in the morning, and at his special
request Forrest ordered the Federal dead to be buried
in the trenches of the work, the officers to be interred
separately from their men.* Bradford was then tempo-
*
Captain O. B. Farris (Company K, Second Tennessee) superintended the-
burial of the dead.
rarily paroled to supervise the burial of his brother,
Captain Bradford, after which, under a pledge not to
attempt to escape, he was placed for the night in the
custody of Colonel McCulloch, who gave him a bed in
his own quarters, and shared with him his supper. This
pledge Major Bradford violated ; taking advantage of
the darkness and his knowledge of the locality, when
his host was asleep, he effected his escape through the
careless line of sentinels, and, in disguise, sought to
reach Memphis.*
Among the prisoners taken was Captain Young, who
with Captain Anderson, was sent up the river-side with
a white flag to endeavor to open communication with
the gunboat New Era, but every signal was obdurately
ignored or disregarded, and keeping on her course she
soon disappeared up the river. The object was to de-
liver into the hands of Captain Marshall, the commander
of the New Era, as soon as possible, all the Federal
wounded. As fast as possible, meanwhile, the wounded
of both sides were gleaned from the bloody field and
placed under shelter and the professional care of Con-
federate surgeons of the several regiments present.
This brilliant success was not achieved without severe
loss on our partthe loss of some of our best soldiers.
The whole command lost fourteen officers and men
killed, and eighty-six wounded. Lieutenant George
*'
Major Bradford . . . was, several days afterward, recaptured in dis
guise. At first he affected to be a conscript, but being recognized was remanded
to custody as a prisoner of war. He was then sent in charge of a party
a
subaltern and some five or six mento Brownsville. On the way he again at-
tempted to escape, soon after which one of the men shot him. It was an act in
which no officer was concerned, mainly due, we are satisfied, after the most
rigid inquiry, to private vengeance for well authenticated outrages committed
by Bradford and his band upon the defenseless families of the men of Forrest's
Cavalry."-
"Campaigns of General Forrest," page

455.
April, 1864. 363
Leave* (Company D, Second Tennessee), who was
Icind and generous as well as gallant and brave, fell
mortally wounded by a canister-shot. Twelve more of
our regiment besides Leave were wounded, four of them
from Company C, as follows : W. L. Womack and Lieu-
tenant H. L. W. Turney were slightly wounded, and
C. E. Thomas and W. W. Hawkins severely.
J.
K.
Dodd (Company D), William Duke and Nute Carr
(Company E),
John
K, Brinkley and
James
Link (Com-
pany E), were among the wounded. William Duke's
leg was broken near the ankle joint by a rifle-ball, and
after examination and consultation our surgeons decided
to amputate his foot. As soon as Duke learned their
decision he called on D. B. Willard (a member of Com-
pany C who had carried him from the field) to hand him
his pistol, and said, "I'll shoot the first man who at-
tempts to cut off my foot." 'Tf you don't want it cut
off it will not be done," said Willard. By request of
Duke, Willard made some splinters, and finally the sur-
geons assisted in bandaging his leg, and the result was
he soon got well, and thus saved his foot.
Turning over the command of the troops to General
'Chalmers, with instructions to complete the burial of
the dead, collect the arms and other portable property,
transfer, if possible, the Eederal wounded to the first
steamer that might be passing, and then follow, as soon
as practicable, with the division and unwounded pris-
oners to Brownsville, Eorrestf set out about sunset to
*
See Appendix A for sketch.
tjust after the firing had ceased (about three P. M.), and while standing in-
side the fort, the writer heard Forrest say, pointing to the eminence from which
he had caused the signal for the assault to be given: "When from my position
on that hill I saw my men pouring over these breastworks, it seemed"now
placing his right-hand upon his left breast
''
that my heart would burst within
return with his escort and staff to Jackson, Tennessee,
encamping that night at a farm-house some six or seven
miles eastward. Bell withdrew his brigrade about one
mile and a half east and encamped, while McCulloch's
Brigade camped nearer the fort.
Wednesday, ijth.A detail was sent back to the fort
to collect and remove the remaining arms and to finish
burying the dead. They had been at work but a short
time when a gunboat (the Silver Cloud) came up and
began to shell them. A flag of truce and parley was
hoisted, which being accepted by the Master of the Sil-
ver Cloud, Captain Ferguson, an arrangement soon re-
sulted for a truce until five p. m. It was agreed that
during that time the Federals might send parties ashore
to visit all parts of the scene and look after their dead
and wounded. During the day several transports came
to the landing, and before the hour when the truce was
to expire the wounded prisoners had all been tansferred
to the cabin of the steamer Platte Valley, numbering
about seventy, officers and men. Seven officers and two
hundred and nineteen enlisted men (fifty-six negroes
and one hundred and sixty-three whites), unwounded,*!*
were brought off as prisoners of war, which, with the
wounded, make an aggregate of those who survived,
exclusive of all who may have escaped (it was said that
about twenty-five escaped in a skiff), two hundred and
ninety-six, or a little over half of the garrison.
;(?."
"Men," continued he, ''if you will do as I say I will always lead you to-
victory. I have taken every place that the Federals occupied in West Tennessee-
and North Mississippi except Memphis, and if they don't mind I'll have that
place too in less than six weeks. They killed two horses from under me to-day"
a third was wounded
"and knocked me to my knees a time or two, so I

thought by they were going to get me any way."
tA list of the names of the wounded (two hundred and twenty-six) may be:
found in "Campaigns of General Forrest,"' page
704.
April, 1864. 365
Having, several hours previous, put his main force in
motion toward Brownsville, General Chalmers withdrew,
about four p. m., with his staff and escort, in the same
direction, and there remained at Fort Pillow none save
the dead who had fallen in storming it, and the dead of
the late garrison, victims, not of unlawful acts of war,
as has been so virulently alleged and generally believed
at the North, but of an insensate endeavor, as foolishly
resolved as feebly executed, to hold a position naturally
untenable and badly fortified ; victims, we may add, of
the imbecility and grievous mismanagement of those
weak, incapable officers whom the fortunes of war un-
happilyhad placed over them. The two brigades camped
some twelve miles east of the fort.
At Brownsville, that afternoon, the citizens of all
classesmen, women, and childrenreceived the Con-
federate General with tokens of deep-felt gratitude.
The ladies of the vicinage, assembling at the court-
house, received him publicly, and testified their profound
personal appreciation of his recent operations, by which
they had been delivered from the apprehensions of fur-
ther outrages, insults, and distressing annoyances from
that pestilent band of ruffians and marauders which had
been so thoroughly uprooted. The next day headquar-
ters were re-established at Jackson, where Forrest re-
mained until the 2d of May.
COMMENTARIES.
I. In answer to an inquiry in reference to what com-
mand first entered the works at Fort Pillow, Colonel
Barteau says
:
Colonel McCulloch and I met in the middle of the fort. He com-
manded the Second Missouri Cavalry as I did the Second Tennessee,
and he came in from the extreme left next to the river as most of my
regiment did from the extreme right next to the river. He and I
talked the matter over, and we both concluded that we entered the fort
just about the same time. I could not say for myself which was first,
but Captain Farris thinks the Second Teanessee was first.
B. A. High and others agree with Captain Farris in
thinking that the Second Tennessee was first to mount
the parapet. As will be remembered, it was also the
first to move up in close range of the fort. B. A. High
was among- the first to mount the works. Another man
(whose name I have not been able to learn), in attempt-
ing to ascend rather in advance of High, was shot, and
rolled back into the ditch a corpse, while High suc-
ceeded in going to the top, and captured a cannoneer,
whose gun he soon after turned upon the Federal gun-
boat, as previously mentioned. Several of Company C
were close after High. Among the number was
J.
C.
McAdoo, who was /on^ enough to jump into the ditch
but ^00 short to leap out until Colonel Bell came to his
assistance.
In the manuscript notes of Colonel Barteau (which I
have before me) I find the following
:
In this action the courage and self-reliance of the troops were par-
ticularly exhibited, and I think a satisfactory proof given to the com-
manding General that he could rely on his men in any emergency.
Among my own soldiers who particularly distinguished themselves
that day was Perry Marks, private of Company D, one of the first
men on the fort, and also Lieutenant A. H. French, who was foremost
with his men over the works, and Captain W. A. DeBow, who was in
command of the regiment a part of the day.*
2. A flag of truce was sent in demanding the surrender. The an-
swer received was one of defiance and insult, for the same reply that
was given to General Forrest seemed to be the one heralded from the
negroes on the works to our men on the outside. "If you want the
fort come and take it," and "Dn you, what are you here for?"
*Our Lieutenant-Colonel (Morton) was absent on account of a wound re-
ceived at Paducah.
Lieutenant GEORGE LOVE, Co. D.
MOATiOHt.
April, 1864.
36T
These were the taunts thrown out to our men who were during the
truce in speaking distance. Moreover, several shots were fired during
the truce at our men, who did not return them. No sooner had the
flag retired than a defiant shout went up from the fort, and an active
fire commenced. Our men, as by one impulse, seem to have deter-
mined they would take the fort, and that too independendy of officers
or orders, and had no command been given to
"
charge" I verily be-
lieve that after the insults given them during the truce they would have
taken the fort by storm any way.
3.
The troops in the fort had evidently been made drunk, for those
we took were more or less intoxicated, and we found barrels of whisky
and ale and bottles of brandy open, and tin cups in the barrels out of
which they had been drinking.
We also found water-buckets sitting around n the
fort with whisky and dippers in them, which showed
very clearly that the whisky had been thus passed around
to the Federal troops.
The following, from the Detroit Free Press of Decem-
ber I St,
1884,
explains itself:
To the Editor
of
the Detroit Free Press :
Bartlett, Tenn.
:
In the account given by "M Quad" of the
Confederate capture of Fort Pillow he speaks of "Barton's Regiment."
There was no such regiment in Forrest's Cavalry, but it was Barteau^s
Regiment, the Second Tennessee Cavalry, and as Colonel Barteau is
still living, and is a convenient witness to all the particulars of that af-
fair, I have taken the liberty to ask of him an expression upon
"
M
Quad's" account of it.
Admitting "M Quad's" article to be an exceedingly forcible and
succinct statement and a vivid description of the investment, assault,
and capture of Fort Pillow in its general view, he yet differs from
"
M
Quad
"
in his view of some features of the case.
Colonel Barteau says :
"
For days before the capture of Fort Pillow
citizens fleeing to us from its vicinity brought doleful tales of outrages
committed by the Federal forces in that stronghold. The helpless
families of some of our soldiers had been victims of their raiding
parties. A strong feeling prevailed in favor of capturing the fort, but
it was not expected to be done without fighting and loss of life. If
the commander of that garrison was taken by surprise it was gross
368
negligence on his part ; we surely did not expect to surprise him.
But it seems that the Federals believed we would never storm their
works, and this was their idea even up to the very moment of the as-
sault, for during the truce, when our lines were in close speaking dis-
tance, a position we had gained by several hours' hard fighting, the
negroes of the fort called to us with opprobious names and dared us to
the attempt. We did not move our position during the truce. We
had gained it not without sacrifice ; it was all we wanted then, for it
was what we knew Forrest must have before he could be in a position
to demand a surrender.
"It was the plain duty of the Federal commander, in view of the
situation, to yield to the demand and thus save human life. But he
did not, and his men did not at all believe evidently that we would
jiiake the assault, and now foolhardy and unwise as they had been,
when they saw us making for the ditch and climbing the parapet they
were totally confounded with surprise.
Nor did they surrender. They made a wild, crazy, scat-
tering fight. They acted like a crowd of drunken men. They would
at one moment yield and throw down their guns, and then would rush
again to arms, seize their guns and renew the fire. If one squad was
left as prisoners ... it was soon discovered that they could not
be trusted as having surrendered, for taking the first opportunity they
would break loose again and engage in the contest. Some of our men
-were killed by negroes who had once surrendered.
"They would not, or at least did not, take down their flag. I
ordered this done myself by my own men in order to stop the fight.
If barbarities were committed, as
'
M Quad ' says, after the flag was
1:aken down, it must have been under the circumstances of the contest
as just stated. General Forrest came into the fort about this time, and
all agree that he did not sanction them, nor could they have taken
place in his presence.
'
M Quad' says, referring to the two brigades,
Bell's and McCuUoch's: 'The best fighting men in those two Confed-
erate brigades had no hand in the barbarities;' and concludes by say-
ing: 'Only one hundred and fifty men out of the two brigades had any
hand in it, and their atrocities disgraced them in the eyes of the bet-
ter soldiery.' As I was immediately with Bell's Brigade, and in com-
mand of it a part of the time, I will say that no men at all of this
-command, and certainly none of my own regiment, engaged in any
atrocities.
"I saw McCuUoch, and we conversed about the affair the same
April, 18G4.
360
evening after the capture. He was earnest in his expressions of the
good conduct, forbearance, and obedience of his men after the fool-
hardy and strange manner in which the Federals had acted, causing
unnecessary sacrifice of life.
.......
"The third day after the surrender all the prisoners were placed in
my charge, and I was ordered to take them from Sommerville with my
regiment to Tupelo. On the way, which was several days' march,
they freely expressed themselves as to the conduct of many of their
white officers, and many of them admitted with expressions of con-
demnation the great error into which they had been led as to the de-
fense of the fort, their drunkenness and folly of conduct, putting the
blame upon their officers."
Colonel Barteau thinks that true history should place the blame
upon the Federal side and not the Confederate.
John F. Cochran.
T/nu'sday, i^tli. After a march of about twenty-five
miles, passing' through Durhamville, Chahiiers
camped
near Brownsville, in Haywood County,
Friday, iîk*While on the way from Fort Pillow
to Jackson, having received instructions to detach a por-
tion of his command to repel a raid understood
to be
immediately impending from the direction of Decatur,
through the interior of North-western Alabama, Forrest
ordered Chalmers to repair at once, by way of Okolona,
to the menaced border with the two brigades
(McCul-
*I had been unwell for several clays, and on the morning of the above date
I had a hard chill. Thinking that pethaps Forrest's whole command was going
out of West Tennessee, and unwilling to remain and run the risk of being made
prisoner, I mounted my horse, folded my arms and shut my eyes while my
brother led my horse, and thus we followed the command. So sick was I that I
actually fainted while riding along, though I did not fall from my horse. As
we did not move with but in advance of the command for the next two days, we
did not learn until after we had put up for the night tive miles south of Holly
Springs, on the eve of the 17th, that our regiment was not with the brigade, but
had been detached at Sommerville and was going through toward Verona with
the prisoners. Turning eastward on the i8th we met with the regiment at Pop-
lar Springs on the 19th. There my brother (W. C. Hancock) fell in with the
regiment, while I, after remaining with one Mr. Price six miles south-west of.
Tupelo for a few days, rejoined the regiment at Verona the 24th.
24
loch's and Bell's) which he then had with him. There-
fore, turning southward at Brownsville, and crossing the
Big Hatchie River, Chalmers camped for the night near
Sommerville, in Fayette County.
Saturday,
i6th.Colonel Barteau, with the Second
Tennessee,
being detached to convey the prisoners to
Demopolis,
Alabama, set out from Sommerville early in
the
morning,
crossing the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad at Saulsbury, and thence by the way of Ripley,
New Albany,
Poplar Springs and Chesterville, arrived at
Verona, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, the 20th. A
detail from the Second Tennessee went through by rail
from
Verona to Demopolis with the prisoners. The rest
of the
regiment went into camp at the former place,
where they
remained until the 25th.
Being
rejoined at Sommerville by Neely's Brigade,
Chalmers,
with the three brigades, arrived at Holly
Springs,
Mississippi, on the 17th. Here on the i8th
information
was received from General Polk by tele-
crraph that the presence of Forrest's troops under his
previous
requisition was not needed, and accordingly
the
movement
of Chalmers was halted, and Bell's Bri-
gadeexcept the Second Tennesseeand Neely's also,
were
ordered to return to West Tennessee, while Mc-
Culloch
resumed his old pos't behind the Tallahatchie
River,
about Panola, and Chalmers took up his head-
quarters at Oxford until the 2d of May. Then, accord-
incr to orders from his superior, he set out for Tupelo,
on the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, with McCulloch's
Brio-ade, except the Eighteenth Mississippi Battalion,
which
was left to guard the crossing of the Tallahatchie,
Monday,
2th. The Second Tennessee moved from
Verona to Tupelo (five miles north), Vvdiere they had
May, 1804. 371
heavy duty to dounloading and guarding forage, which
was now being brought up by rail in large quantities
for Forrest's command, that was expected to be concen-
trated at that point in a (ew days.
Mojiday, May 2d.
^Gholson's Brigade, now at Tupelo,

was transferred from the State to the Confederate serv-
ice. The Governor of the State of Mississippi (Clark),
being present, made a short talk to Gholson's men, com-
plimenting them for past services, and telling them to
act well their part in this, the "last hour of the strug-
gle." "I think," continued Governor Clark, "that the
war will close this year." This brigade remained at
Tupelo until about the 26th, when, pursuant to orders
from Major-General Lee, it was detached and placed
under command of General Wirt Adams, at Canton,
Mississippi, some thirty miles north of
Jackson, on the
Mississippi Central Railroad.
You will remember that after Buford's second expedi-
tion to Paducah he established his headquarters at Dres-
den, Tennessee, on the i8th of April. By the 28th he
had assembled his Vv^hole division, including Bell's Bri-
gade (except the Second Tennessee) at
Jackson, and
on the 30th received orders to move on the 2d of May
with it and Neely's Brigade to Tupelo, conveying
a large
and heavy ox train, freighted with subsistence and a
large amount of liquor (for hospital purposes)
and
leather, and some three hundred prisoners.
The Ken-
tucky Brigade, which had entered on the campaign
with
an effective total of one thousand and four men, now
numbered one thousand seven hundred and seventeen
fighting men
;
and Bell's, which took the field one thou-
sand two hundred and fifty-seven strong, now mustered
over one thousand seven hundred well-mounted
horse-
372 E. 1\. Hancock's Diary.
men. Moving by way of Purdy and Corinth Buford
accomplished the distance
seventy-eight miles
to
Rienzi by the 4th of May, and there, having transferred
the supplies and prisoners for further transportation
southward to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, was able
to reach Tupelo on the 6th.
General Forrest, breaking up his headquarters at
Jack-
son on the 2d of May, set out also for Tupelo with his staff
and escort, taking the road through Bolivar, Learning
that afternoon that a heavy cavalry force, quite two thou-
sand strong, under General Sturgis, was then engaged in a
sharp skirmish with McDonald's Battalion, under Crews,
some two miles west of Bolivar, Forrest, with his escort,
repaired at once to the point where Crews still held the
enemy at bay. Placing himself at the head of the
Confederates, he presently drove back their skirmish
line for three-fourths of a mile upon their main force,
inflicting a loss of some forty killed and wounded.
Unable,
however, to pursue this advantage further
ap-ainst such odds, Forrest now withdrew a short dis-
tance
and took post, with Crews' men dismounted, in
the outer line of fortifications which had been thrown up
some
time previous by the Federals in the western
suburbs of Bolivar. The enemy advanced vigorously
upon his position, but on being met by a hot fire at short
rano-e from the steadv rifles of the dismounted Confed-
erates, they, breaking in disorder, immediately quit the
field and disappeared. Then resuming his march For
|
rest
caught up with- his train, encamped five miles south
of Bolivar.
Flurrying on, without further incident, by
the way of Ripley, Mississippi, he arrived at Tupelo,
early on the 5th, a day in advance of Buford, and about
one day after Chalmers had arrived with a part of Mc-
Culloch's
Brigade.
May, 18G4,. 373
Fi'iday, 6tk.The Second Tennessee moved out and
encamped three miles west of Tupelo, on the Pontotoc
road, where it was joined by the rest of Bell's Brigade.
On his arrival at Tupelo, Buford returned Neely's
Brigade to Chalmers.
Monday, gth.Our Major, William Parrish, died, after
a long spell of sickness, at Mr. Sam Word's, six miles
south-east of Okolona, Mississippi.
Tuesday^ loth.All of the seven original companies
of the Second Tennessee were allowed to attend the
burial of our beloved Major. He was buried by the
Masonic Fraternity, and also with the honors of war, in
Mr. Word's family graveyard. William Parrish was
the Orderly Sergeant of Company C when the First
Battalion was organized in
July,
1861, and he was made
Captain of said company in October, 1861, and Major
of the Second Tennessee in June, 1863. Owing to ill
health he did but little more service after he was made
Major. He had all the attributes of a good soldier, as well
as a true o-entleman, and hence was much admired and
greatly lamented by all of his comrades. I have learned,
through
J.
L. McGan (Company B), that the Major's
family are all dead, and therefore I have not been able
to procure either biographical sketch or portrait of this
noble and gallant officer, though I have made every
effort to gfet both.
Thursday, iztJi. Colonel John
F. Newsom's Regi-
ment was reorganized, certain Alabama companies being
transferred to Roddy's conimand. Their places were
filled by independent companies from Tennessee, and
attached to Bell's Brigade, Buford's Division. Colonel
Ed. Crossland (Seventh Kentucky) was still in command
of the Kentucky Brigade.
374 R E.. Hancock's Diaky.
Satur'day, i^th.We, the Second Division of Forrest's
Cavalry, had the honor of being reviewed by Generals
Forrest and Buford.
Monday, i6tli.Buford, with his division, moved
northward to Baldwin, by the way of Birminghamdis-
tance, twenty-three miles. Chalmers' Division remained
at Tupelo.
Tuesday, ijth.Continuing his march northward
about thirty miles, Buford camped some two miles south
of Corinth, It was generally thought that Buford had
started to Middle Tennessee, but owing to the move-
ments of the enemy at other points, he was brought to
a halt at Corinth until the 23d, when, turning southward,
and camping that night near Booneville, he returned to
Tupelo the 24th, leaving Newsom at Corinth.
Forrest had been closely occupied, since his recent
campaign into Tennessee and Kentucky, with means
and measures for increasing the efficiency of his force.
Now well mounted, and materially recruited, he sought
by every means in his power to consolidate his organi-
zations and perfect their equipments. His artillery was
formed into a battalion of four batteries, of four guns
each, under Captain
John W. Morton, as Chief of Ar-
tillery. About this time a new brigade was organized
of the Seventh Tennessee and Eighteenth and Nine-
teenth Mississippi, with Colonel E. W. Rucker as bri-
gade commander. It was about this time, too, that
Colonel H. B, Lyon was assigned to the command of
the Kentucky Brigade in place of Ed. Crossland. For-
rest's force, as now constituted, was as follows
:
Four batteriesMorton's, Thrall's, Rice's, and Wal-
ton's.
Chalmers' DivisionMcCulloch's, Neely's, and Ruck-
er's Brigades.
May, 18G4. 375
Buford's Division Bell's and Lyon's Brigades.
In all, twenty regiments, four battalions, five independ-
ent companies, and sixteen guns.
Wednesday, 2^th.Our brigade moved out three miles
north-west of Tupelo to a better camping ground. It
was about this time that Chalmers was detached with
McCulloch's and Neely's Brigades and Walton's Bat-
tery on an expedition to Montevallo, Alabama, some
fifty miles north of Selma and forty eastward of Tusca-
loosa, for the purpose of meeting a hostile raid against
the iron works of that region, anticipated from the di-
rection of Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama.
Sunday, 2gtJi. Information having been received that
the Federals were pressing General Roddy in the vicin-
ity of Decatur, Alabama, Buford's Division was placed
in readiness to start the next morning to that officer's
succor with five days' rations for the men and two for
the horsey.
Monday, ôth.That morning, before he had put Bu-
ford's Division in motion, Forrest received a dispatch
from Roddy to the effect that the Federal force had
fallen back to Decatur, and apparently was projecting
an expedition in the direction of Kingston, Georgia.
Forrest, therefore, decided to await further develop-
ments of the enemy's purposes before moving, and no-
tified General, Roddy of his conclusions.
Tuesday, 31st, Forrest, having determined that the

time had now come to effect a junction with Roddy,
transmitted a notification of his purpose in these terms
:
Your dispatch of the 29th just received. I will start from this
place to-morrow morning with two thousand four hundred men and six
pieces of artillery to join you. I wish you to ascertain which direc-
tion the enemy has taken and keep me posted. I will move by Ful-
ton and on tlie road to Russellville unless you should advise differently.
If the enemy goes in the direction of Rome I think they will join the
main army. If they turn south you will let me know at once; if they
go to Rome I will move in another direction and will meet you. Be
certain to have with you one thousand of your best men and horses.
I have sent my aid de-camp, Captain Charles W. Anderson, to see and
confer with you as regards our future movements. You will send
couriers and scouts on the enemy's right flank and keep General
Chalmers posted. You will find him at Montevallo,^ Alabama,
whence he was sent to find which road the enemy took from Sommer-
ville. Send courier also to General Johnston at Marietta, Georgia,
giving him the facts.
Wednesday, Jitne ist. General Biiford, with Lyons'
Brigade, Barteau's and Wilson's Regiments, of Bell's
Brigade (Newsom's Regiment was left at Corinth and
Russell's at Tupelo), and Morton's and Rice's Batteries,
moved out from Tupelo early in the morning, and For-
rest followed, somewhat later in the day, with his escort.
The whole force, numbering some two thousand six hun-
dred, rank and file, camped that night six miles beyond
Fulton, on the Russellville road.
'
T/mrsday, 2d.After a march of about twenty miles
Bell's Brigade camped on Big Bear Creek, in Franklin
County, Alabama, while Lyon's Brigade moved six miles
further and camped on Little Bear Creek, some eight
miles west of Russellville.
Friday, jd.Several days previous Captain
J.
G.
Mann, Chief Engineer, had been sent ahead with his
Engineer Company to the Tennessee River, about the
mouth of Town Creek, to build or repair a sufficient
number of boats for the prompt ferriage of that stream.
At Russellville Forrest was met by a dispatch from his
Aid-de-Camp, Captain Anderson, acquainting him that
*
Chalmers arrived at Montevallo the same day (31st) that Forrest wrote this
dispatch, and on the following day Neely's Brigade was detached to Blue
Mountain to report to General Pillow.
JUXE, 18G4. 377
the requisite number of boats would be ready to begin
the passage of the Tennessee River at four o'clock that
afternoon.
Thus affairs stood about midday, when a dispatch
was received from General S. D. Lee recalling the force
to Tupelo to meet a heavy column of mixed arms, pen-
etrating the country in that direction from Memphis.
Therefore, Forrest, after ordering Roddy to send
John-
son's Brigade from Cherokee, on the Memphis and
Charleston, across to Rienzi, on the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad, turned the head of his column westward. Our
brigade, turning at Little Bear Creek, marched back to
within six miles of Fulton, camping on the same ground
that we occupied on the night of the ist, while Lyons'
Brigade camped several miles east of us. That morn-
ing we of the Second Tennessee were in fine spirits
and high glee at the idea of going to Middle Tennessee.
We had made several starts, as we thought, previous to
this, but from some cause or other we had always been
disappointed in our expectations
; however, this time the
way appeared to be open and all things ready, therefore
we were sure that there would be no disappointment
this time. But alas! how little a soldier knows one day
where he will be the next. So here we are within six
miles of F'ulton to-nigrht, notwithstandinor our exoecta-
tion, this morning, of being at the Tennessee River, ere
this, either crossing or ready to cross.
There was another
J. E. Johnstonwho was sadly

disappointed by this turn-back, for he had been very
anxious for Forrest's Cavalry to operate in Sherman's
rear, either in North Georgia or Middle Tennessee.
Though while Johnston gi'ieved Sherman rejoiced.
SatM7^day, ^th.Bell's Brigade returned to Tupelo,
while Forrest, Buford, Lyon's Brigade, the artillery and
wagons did not arrive until the next day. The first day
we had plenty of dust, and mud in abundance the other
three, as it rained each day.
Monday, 6tJi. Dispatches from trusty scouts were
received, reporting the main body of the enemy, some
thirteen thousand strong, at or near Salem at midday
on the 4th. General Lee came up to Tupelo by rail in
the afternoon. He and Forrest had an immediate con-
ference touching the situation and their means for meet-
ing the emergency.
Tuesday, ytk. The enemy, meanwhile, was reported
as still moving eastward, in the general direction of the
Memphis and Charleston road ; and it was supposed,
from this state of affairs, that the ultimate purpose of
the enemy was a junction with Sherman, then pressing
Johnston backward to Atlanta. It was, therefore, de-
termined to concentrate all disposable forces to follow
and harass the movement to the utmost; and to that
end comprehensive orders to the several officers were
promptly distributed. Buford's Division, with Morton's-
and Rice's Batteries, moved twenty-five miles north,
and camped near Baldwin. Rucker, who had been or-
dered several days previous to this to move from Ox-
ford upon the Federal flank, crossed the Tallahatchie at
New Albany late in the afternoon of the above date,
and soon after struck a brigade of Federal cavalry, un-
der Colonel Winslow. Attacking vigorously with the
Seventh Tennessee and a squadron of Eighteenth Mis-
sissippi, he drove the enemy for two miles, when dark-
ness put an end to the conflict. The main Federal force
was reported by scouts to be at Ruckerville, ten miles
north-east of Ripley, on the road to Pocahontas.
June, 18G4. 379
Wednesday, 8tJi. The headquarters of both Lee and
Forrest were now at Baldwin. Continuing his march
northward Buford was soon brought to a halt at Twenty-
mile Creek, which was so swollen at the time from recent
heavy rains as to be unfordable, especially for wagons
and artillery. Therefore, Companies A and C of Bar-
teau's Regiment were detailed to build a bridge across
that stream, while a detail from Wilson's Regiment was
sent two miles ahead to build a bridge across Wolf
Creek. Captain McKnight was in command of the de-
tail from Barteau's Regiment. However, General Bu-
ford
*
went with us and superintended the building of
the first bridg-e. Trees were soon felled, out of which
a temporary bridge was constructed. Captain Mc-
Knight, ordering his detail to mount, proceeded to the
next bridge, which was not yet completed, and the water
by this time was out in Wolf Creek bottom so that it
would be over axle deep to wagons before reaching the
bridge. Under these circumstancesbesides it was now
growing late in the afternoonForrest told McKnight
to go back and say to Buford that he had better not
attempt to cross Wolf Creek that evening. Buford had
crossed the command over the first bridge and was pro-
'The command halted perhaps three hundred yards from the creek. As
soon as Buford got to the creek he sent a runner back to the command to order
his staff officers to report to him immediately. Some of them soon came dash-
ing down to the creek, wishing to know the will of their superior (thinking, as
a matter of course, that he wanted them to attend to some of the duties of their
office, such as procuring forage, rations, etc.), when, to their great surprise and
chagrin, he said: "Dismount, I want you to help build this bridgeI want to
see yott get wet.'''' It was really amusing to us to see how completely they were
taken down as Buford would take them by the arm with one hand while he
pointed out what he wanted them to do with the other. And it had the desired
effect, too, for we did not mind what we had to do after he put those officers to
work. However, some of his staff finding out by some means what was up,
failed to report. After the bridge was completed we decided that we had seen
fun enough to pay us very well for all we had done.
ceeding to the next, when, on being met by McKnight
and receiving Forrest's message, he remarked, ''Forrest
don t know'' and went right on to the second bridge in
spite of the mud and water in his way. On arriving at
this last bridgre McKnig^ht's detail was ordered to dis-
mount (except every fourth man to hold horses) and
assist in roiling the wagons and artillery through a place
of mud and water about knee deep, and then upon the
bridge.* By the untiring energy and perseverance of
General Buford the whole division, including the wagons
and artillery, was on the north bank of Wolf Creek be-
fore sunset. Then moving on to Booneville Buford es-
tablished his headquarters at that place. After halting
long enough to draw rations and forage, Bell's Brigade,
setting out from Booneville about midnight, moved out
eight miles north-west to Blackland, and there, dis-
mounting, took a short nap before day.
Thursday, gth.In the saddle by daylight. Colonel
Barteau, with the Second Tennessee, moved northward
about seven miles to the Rienzi-Ripley road, where he
halted until about noon ; then turning eastward and
marching some nine miles, he met with the rest of the
brigade at Rienzi, a station on the Mobile and Ohio
Road, where the brigade camped for the night.
Newsom's Regiment, which was left at Corinth on the
23d of May, and had not been with the brigade since,
had met at Rienzi a few days previous to this and drove
back westward a Federal scout.
Buford allowed the boys to have some fun here too. A neg-fo who evidently
feared that Buford would order him to help roll the wagons through
" that mud-
hole," was lying in a wagon to keep the General from seeing him. Some of the
boys seeing him remarked, "Here is a negro in this wagon." Buford said:
"Take him out! take him out and duck him!" No quicker said than done,
the boys lifted him out of the wagon into the creek.
June, 1804. 381
Lyon's and Rucker's Brigades were now at Booneville,
and Johnson's, from North Alabama, was at Baldwin.
Confederate headquarters were at Booneville, ten miles
north of Baldwin and eight south of Rienzi. Thus
stood affairs on the eve before the memorable
BATTLE OF BRICE'S CROSS-ROADS.
Information was brought to the Confederate Generals
that General Sturgis (the Federal commander
j, having
broken up his encampment at Ruckerville, was moving
toward Ripley, and later, that having passed that place,
he was marching south-eastward toward Guntown.
General Lee now determined to fall back with the whole
force toward Okolona, so as to form a junction with
Chalmers, and such other forces as he hoped to be able
to glean from Mobile, before grappling with the enemy.
Accordingly Lee proceeded southward by rail that night,
while Forrest was ordered to follow next mornine with
the whole force, and get between the Federal column
and Tupelo.
Brice's Cross-Roads, four miles due west from the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad at Baldwin, and six miles
north-west of Guntown, is at the intersection of the road
from Ripley through Guntown to Fulton with that from
Carrollville through EUistown to Pontotoc. Carrollville
is five miles north-east of the cross-roads, and about
two miles west of the railroad, on the road leading from
Booneville to the cross-roads.
The Federals camped on Stubbs' farm, about ten
miles north-west of the cross-roads, and about twelve
south-east of Ripley. To recapitulate: Johnson's Bri-
gade had to march about seven miles (by the way of
Carrollville), Rucker's and Lyon's fourteen, and Bell's
twenty-two to reach the battle-field next morning.
Friday, loth. Leaving Rienzi by daylight, Bell's
Brigade (except Newsom's Regiment, which was some-
where in the neighborhood of Corinth) marched south
to Booneville, where it halted to draw t*wo days' rations
for both men and horses. Here we learned that Forrest
had left that place before dawn with Lyon's and Rocker's
Brigades, hoping to get between the Federal column
and Tupelo. Buford, who had been left at Booneville to
bring up the rear, now followed with Bell's Brigade.
The night had been rainy, but the sun rose brightly,
and dispelling the morning mist, became warm and
somewhat oppressive to the men and jaded horses ; and
the roads, saturated with water from recent continuous
heavy rains, were so much cut up as to retard the prog-
ress of the artillery.
At CarroUville scouts reported to Forrest that the
advance of the Federal cavalry had been seen within a
mile of Brice's Cross-Roads, and hence it was now evi-
dent that the Federals were about to intercept the line
of his march. Taking into consideration the advantage
of striking the enemy while in line of march, and conse-
quently not prepared for battle, besides, seeing no way
of avoiding this contingency, and Johnson's Brigade
having come up meanwhile, Forrest promptly resolved
upon the offensive and an immediate encounter, and thus
force General Sturgis to bring his men into action by
detail. Forrest's force (three brigades) immediately in
hand at the moment numbered about two thousand rank
and file. Lyon was ordered to move rapidly forward
with his brigade and feel the enemy while Rucker's and
Johnson's
men were replenishing their exhausted car-
tridge boxes. A courier was also dispatched with in-
structions to Buford to detach a regiment at CarroUville
June, ISG-i. 383
to o-ain the Federal rear, and, if possible, destroy their
train, and to hurry forward the artillery at a gallop, as
well as the other regiments of Bell's Brigade. On
meeting this courier, within four miles of Carrollville,
Buford moved out at a gallop, and "close up" soon
passed from front to rear of Bell's Brigade. Colonel
Barteau being detached at the above named place, with
about two hundred and fifty of the Second Tennessee,*
turned westward to gain the Federal rear, while Buford
pressed on with the other two regiments (Russell's and
Wilson's) and Morton's and Rice's Batteries at a gallop.
Meanwhile Colonel Lyon, having gained the enemy's
front, on the road leading toward Tupelo, through
Brice's Cross-Roads, ordered Captain Randle to dis-
mount his company and advance on foot to develop the
Federal position. This done with spirit, speedily the
enemy's cavalry were found strongly posted in heavy
force in front. The Third Kentucky, dismounting, was
thrown forward at a double-quick in support of Randle,
and brought at once into action. The Federal position
was strong; Lyon, therefore, dismounting the Seventh
Kentucky and Faulkner's Regimentexcept two com-
panies held as cavalry to guard his flanksimmediately
advanced, the former on the right and the latter on the
left, in line with the Third Kentucky, while the Eighth
Kentucky was held as a reserve in rear of the center
within supporting distance. Thus disposed, Lyon
'A heavy detail had been taken from our regiment to guard a wagon train
;
and two of the companies from West Tennessee (Captains S. W. Reeves and O.
B. Farris) that were sent on picket last night at Rienzi and had not caught up
when the regiment was detached this morning, fell in with the rest of the bri-
gade and remained with it throughout the battle and chase. Captain Farris be-
ing on detached duty his company was commanded by his gallant First Lieuten-
ant, F. M. McRee, who made a daring charge with Company K upon the Fed-
eral rear guard, capturing a whole company of negroes.
384 R. 1?. Hancock's Diary.
pressed steadily up through a skirt of woods, brushing"
the enemy back as he advanced. But discovering that
the Federals were being heavily massed in his front, as
if for an attack, Lyon halted his line, reconnoitered the
position, and directed his men to throw up such cover
as could be quickly made of rails and fallen timber at
hand. The enemy, already having several pieces of ar-
tillery in position, opened a hot fire with shell and can-
ister, while a large force menaced an onset upon Lyon's
left.
Informed of the state of affairs on the field, Forrest
ordered Colonel Lyon to take the offensive with the
Third Kentucky and F'aulkner's Regiment. This gal-
lantly performed, the enemy was presently driven back
for three hundred yards to the edge of an old field.
Forrest had moved up meanwhile the Seventh and
Eighth Kentucky to a position somewhat in advance
and rightward of the road. Lyon then brought up the
Third Kentucky and Faulkner's Regiment to the same
line. Rucker, at the same time, was dismounted and
ordered also to form in line of battle on the left, which
being done with alacrity and characteristic dasJi, he soon
became warmly engaged with the enemy, who opened
upon him with a sharp musketry fire from the shelter of
a fence and dense thicket of dwarf oaks. Hearing the
sounds of this brisk engagement the Confederate Gen-
eral next dispatched Johnson's Brigade, mounted, at a
rapid pace to gain and guard Lyon's right. Meanwhile
Morton's and Rice's Batteries, having been brought up
at a gallop for some eight miles, were immediately
thrown forward into position in an open field on a hill,
in rear of Lyon, and opened with spirit and execution,
especially upon the Federal infantry confronting Rucker.
JUx\E, 1804.
385
Duff's Mississippians being detached leftward half a
mile to guard that flank from being turned, Rucker now
charged with the Seventh Tennessee and Chalmers'
Battalion (Eighteenth Mississippi) across an open field
in the face of a heavy hostile force of infantry, Chal-
mer's Battalion, unsupported on its left flank at the time,
being overlapped by the enemy, was thrown into con-
fusion by a terrific enfilading fire, and receded to the
shelter of the woods in its rear; but, though warmly
pressed back to that position, it was speedily rallied,
and handsomely resumed the onset. Led with note-
worthy courage and vigor by Colonel Rucker and Lieu-
tenant Colonels Taylor (Seventh Tennessee) and Chal-
mers, they intrepidly breasted the fire of rifles and
artillery that swept the ground over which they ad-
vanced, and carried the position. The loss was serious
among those brave Mississippians and Tennesseans.
At the same time Lyon, advancing with his brigade in
the face of an actively-plied artillery and warm fusilade
of small arms, drove back the force opposed in his front,
after some obstinate fighting and several efforts to charge
him with a superior force. And Buford having come up
at half-past eleven a, m. with Bell's Brigade, or rather
Russell's and Wilson's Regiments, Forrest had placed
them, dismounted, immediately in line on the left of
Rucker, about the time that bricjade had faltered, as we
have mentioned.
The enemy now occupied the arc of a circle three-
fourths of a mile at least in extent, and about half a
mile from Brice's house, the right of which lay across
the Ripley-Guntown road. They were also in heavy
force of infantry as well as cavalry
; but a large portion
of the infantry had been brought up at a double quick
25
for some six or eight miles, and of course were much
blown and flurried, and not in good fighting condition
Lyon's Brigade, confronting them on both sides of the
Baldwin road, was formed in line in the edgre of a thick
wood; Rucker, as we have stated, was next on the left,
and Bell next, with Duff's Mississippians on his and the
extreme Confederate left ; while Johnson's Brigade was
on Lyon's and the extreme Confederate right. Mean-
while, Buford had been assigned to the command of the
right and center, embracing Lyon's and Johnson's Bri-
gades, and the artillery (eight guns), with instructions
to attack strenuously as soon as Bell was heard in ac-
tion. And this was the posture of the combat about
midday.
The ground held by the enemy, somewhat more ele-
vated than that occupied by the Confederates, was un-
dulating, and thickly clad with stunted trees and tan-
gled undergrowth, which, veiling their presence, fur-
nished excellent cover in addition to the breastwork of
rails and logs that they had erected. Nevertheless, Bell
advanced to the onset about half-past one p. m., and
speedily a prolonged musketry fire blazed and gushed
in the face of his line, and many of his bravest officers
and men went down before it. Right gallantly and
staunchly did these regiments endeavor to stem the
adverse tide, but finally they wavered. Wilson's Reg-
iment, flanked and enfiladed, gave back, and the issue
seemed inevitably unfavorable for a time. But, ani-
mated by their officers, the men regained a footing, and,
happily, Lieutenant-Colonel Wisdom reached the ground
at the same juncture with about two hundred and fifty
men of Newsom's Regiment. These were quickly dis-
mounted and advanced to a position on Wilson's left.
June, 1864. 387
.The offensive was now vehemently resumed by the Con-
federates on all parts of their line. The Federals fought
;well. and made several persistent charges, in heavy force,
upon Johnson's, Lyon's, Rucker's, Bell's and Duft's po-
sitions, and more than once defeat seemed unavoidable.
Two strong lines of Federal infantry pressed upon
Rucker, Bell and Duff through an open field, their front
line coming within thirty paces of the Confederates, who
then drew their revolvers and drove the enemy back
with great slaughter. At the same time Lyon and
John-
son repulsed those who had assailed them ; while the
escort, under Captain Jackson, with characteristic dar-
ing, had dashed down upon some negro infantry on the
Federal rigfht and thrown them into great confusion.
Urged forward by their officers the Confederates pressed
the enemy back by the sheer valor and tenacity with
which they were handled. Nevertheless, the Federals,
constantly reinforced by fresh regiments, brought up one
after another, were so greatly superior in numbers that
the result was still extremely doubtful. Forrest there-
upon repaired in person to where his artillery was in
position in front of Lyon. Ordering the pieces to be
double-shotted with canistera favorite practiceand
limbered up, he moved with them down a gentle wooded
slope to within sixty yards of the Federal lines, to the
edge of a field about a quarter of a mile north-east of
Brice's house, just at the moment a strong Federal line,
resuming the offensive, was emerging from the woods
into the open ground. In this position the Confederate
artillery (eight pieces) were opened with signal execu-
tion ;
and, after two or three discharges, Lyon and
John-
son charged upon the Federal left. Hotly engaged at
all points, about two p. m., the conflict had now become
388 Pt. R. Hancock's Diary.
general and desperate. There was no faltering at the
juncture anywhere in the Confederate ranks. Buford
was steadily pressing the Federals back upon Brice's
house, with Lyon's and Johnson's Bridgades
;
Bell's and
Rucker's Brigades moving across the fields and over the
fences in their front, using their revolvers freely, bore
backward all before them in the same direction. The
Confederate fire of small arms and artillery was rapid,
incessant, desolating.* Forrest's line was now short-
ened, and hence strengthened, as it converged upon the
cross-roads, and the Federals were driven back at all
points into a broad ravine, westward of Brice's house,
leading to Tishamingo Creekinfantry, cavalry, artil-
lery, wagons and ambulances huddled together in an
almost inextricable coil ; and upon this mass Morton's
and Rice's Batteries were brought to bear with fearful
carnage.
By this time six guns had been captured at Brice's
house, and several of these, manned by the Confederate
artillerists, were turned upon the Federals, disabling the
horses of another Federal battery some three hundred
yards westward of the Ripley road. Seeing this. Cap-
tains Morton and Rice moved their batteries forward at
a gallop up to the obstructed mass of the enemy, and
poured upon it a deadly tide of canister. The havoc
was ghastly, and the second battery was abandoned as
the enemy crowded back along the Ripley road toward
Tishamingo Creek, the bridge over which, still standing,
was blocked up with wagons, some of whose teams had
been killed, and more than one hundred of the Feder-
als were killed or wounded in attempting to pass across
*About eight hundred Federals lay dead around Brice's house and on the
field to the east and south of it.
June, 18G4. 389
the bridge thus obstructed. Finding their way thus
barred the enemy rushed into the creek on both sides
of the bridge ; but as they emerged from the water on
the west bank in an open field the Confederates' artil-
lery played upon them for half a mile, killing or dis-
abling a large number.
In the interim the wagons left on the bridge had to
be thrown into the stream before the Confederates, in
any effective numbers, could pass over; otherwise, the
captures must have been much more numerous. A sec-
tion of Rice's Battery, however, was worked across,
and, supported by the escort, overtook and opened upon
the negro brigade, with double-shotted canister, with
appalling effect. The rest of the artillery followed
swiffly the advance section, ahead, for the moment, of
any support, and, securing favorable positions, joined
in the havoc.
The order was now given for the cavalry to halt, re-
organize, remount as fast as possible, and pursue. The
road was narrow, with dense woods on either side, so
that it was impossible to use more than four pieces at a
time ; but that number were kept close upon the heels
of the retreating enemy, and in murderous play, pre-
venting them from making a stand. Nothing could ex-
ceed the daring spirit, energy and execution with which
the Confederate Artillery* was handled by its officers.
As Captain JoJin W. Morton was in chief command, -with R. M. Blakemore
as adjutant, his battery (four three-inch rifle guns) was commanded by the gal-
lant Lieutenant T. S. Sale, assisted by Lieutenants Mayson and Brown.
The spirit that animated the men may be illustrated by the behavior of one
Jimmie Moran, of Morton's Batterywho, when shot through the arm, on

being told by his officers to go to the rear invariably replied : "No, sir; I'll stay
with you as long as I can stand up," and continued to drive his gun team with
his arm in a sling tlirough the entire fight. Rice's Battery consisted of two
twelve-pounder howitzers, and two sixpounder smooth-bore guns.
About two miles from the cross-roads the enemy ral-
lied at length in strong force, and again made stout bat-
tle for about half an hour, in the course of which, con-
centrating, they made a spirited charge upon their eager
pursuers, and drove them back upon Rice's Battery ; but
that, opening with double charges of canister, and Ly-
on's Brigade springing forward with loud cheers, hurled
them back with so stormful an onset that the Federal
array dissolved before it into a molten mass of frag-
ments and stragglers, and their defeat was consummate.
The largest portion of their wagon train was left on the
ground, with many caissons, and the road was so thickly
strewn as to be encumbered with the dead, the dying,
and wounded, with cast-away arms, harness, accoutre-
ments, baggage, dead animals, and other v/reck of a
routed army. It was now sunset, but the pursuit was
maintained, weary and overspent as the Confederates
were, for some five or six miles beyond, and until it be-
came quite too dark to go further. As the negro sol-
diery broke, after their last stand, they were seen gen-
erally to tear something from their uniform and throw
it away, which subsequently proved to have been a
badge on which was printed,
"
Remember Fort Pillow,"
while at the same time their officers (whites) threw off
their shoulder straps, or insignia of rank.
After being detached at Carrollville, as previously
mentioned, Colonel Barteau, with a part of his regiment,
moving westward, struck the Ripley-Guntown road some
four or five miles north-west of Brice's Cross-Roads
;
and thence, moving in that direction, he struck the Fed-
eral rear within about three miles of said cross-roads.
Deploying his little band in line, in the woods on the
east side of the road, he threw forward a lengthy, though
June, 1864. 391
thin, line of skirmishers in close proximity to the Fed-
erals. As Barteau wished to make a feint of a heavy
attack, without revealing his real strength, the position
that he now occupied was a good one for that purpose.
The stunted trees and tangled undergrowth not only
furnished excellent cover for his men, but completely
veiled his weakness from the enemy.*
In speaking of Barteau's attack upon the Federal
rear, the writer of "Forrest's Campaigns" (page
476)
says
:
Deploying his men as skirmishers, on a line nearly three-quarters
of a mile, and with other admirable and daring dispositions of his
force, well calculated to conceal his weakness, Barteau contributed
materially to disturb and disorder the enemy, and prevent the escape
of their train. This drew to that quarter a large part of their cavalry,
while the battle was raging with greatest fury at the cross-roads.
I take the following from the manuscript notes of
Colonel Barteau
:
Seeing the great heat of the engagement had now come, and the
result doubtful, I thought it best, as I had thus far gotten to the ene-
my's rear without his knowledge, to deceive him in regard to my num-
bers. For this purpose, after detaching one company to picket still in
my rear, I deployed the regiment into a line nearly as long as that of
the line of battle, and at once begun an attack by scattering shots.
This led him to believe that my force was large, and to continue the im-
*A negro, a cook for some of the Second Tennessee, fell into the hands of
the Federals about this juncture. On making his escape and returning to the
regiment that night or the next day, he reported the following dialogue which
took place between himself and a Federal officer when he was first captured:
Federal
Officer
How many men in those woods?
yêgroA regiment.
Federal
OfficerYo\x can't fool me, there is a brigade in there.
"T'hen," continued the negro in relating the story to us, "the Federal officer
wrote something on a piece of paper and sent it in haste toward the front.''
No doubt but that dispatch addressed to General Sturgis ran somewhat thus
"
We are attacked in the rear by a brigade or more."
pression I instructed my bugler* to gallop along the whole line and at
various points to sound the charge.
I thought then, and I think now [April,
1865],
that the deception
was a complete one, and at least had a good effect, for the enemy's
cavalry, ten times larger in force than my own, came back to attack
us, which must have considerably weakened their own line in front.
Referring to this occasion in commenting on our war,
a European journal compliments our colonel thus:
Barteau's maneuver in rear of the enemy on that occasion was not
equaled by the strategy of Napoleon or Caesar.
As soon as Colonel Barteau was fully satisfied that
"the day was ours," and that the Federals were in full
retreat back toward Ripley, and, consequently, he was
in front and Forrest in rear, he collected his men to-
gether as quickly as possible, and after moving along
their right flank for some five or six miles and coming
to a road (a little after dark) leading westward across
the Ripley road, he decided to dismount his men, in
order to move more quietly, and attack the Federal
column, which could now be distinctly heard moving
along the latter road, hoping thus to cut off, and perhaps
capture, a portion of the Federal rear. However, the
Colonel had moved only a few hundred yards when he
met Lieutenant John E. Denning (Company F), who
had been out as far as the first house on the road, and
there learned that we would have to cross a creek and
a bad bottom before reaching the road along which the
Federals were moving. Meanwhile the enemy appeared
to be halting, perhaps to bivouac for the night; there-
fore, after a consultation with commanders of companies,
Barteau decided that he would not attempt to cross that
Our bugler (Jimmie R. Bradford) who greatly alarmed the enemy on this
occasion by making it appear that so many different buglers were sounding the
charge, died near New Middleton, Tenn., in 1882.
JUXE, 1804. 393
^
bottom 'mid the darkness of the night. We bivouacked
perhaps one and a half or two miles in advance of where
Forrest, soon after, stopped the chase.*
Saturday, nth.On reaching the Ripley road a little
after daylight, Colonel Barteau learned that General
Forrest was in advance with the Seventh Tennessee,
from Rucker's Brigade. Moving out at a gallop, the
former soon overtook the latter.
Meanwhile, Forrest had struck the Federal rear about
daylight at Stubbs' farm. A slight skirmish ensued,
when the enemy broke, abandoning the remainder of
their wagon-train, nine pieces of artillery, and some
twenty-five ambulances, with a number of wounded, at
the crossing of a small fork of the Hatchie. It was
apparent that the enemy were now greatly scattered
through the surrounding country. Therefore Forrest
threw that portion of the Second Tennessee that was
yet with Colonel Barteau on the left flank, and another
regiment on the right, to sweep for some distance on
either side of the highway, and all the morning the din
of firearms was to be heard at the harsh, stern work of
war. Bell's Brigade (including the other portion of the
Second Tennessee) having come up, relieved Rucker
soon after sunrise. About four miles eastward of Ripley
the Federals were found rallied and in position for an-
other stand at the crossing of Hatchie Creek, where the
bottom was almost impracticable, except by the road
over a causeway, which was about three hundred yards
long. They had already effected the passage of the
stream, and were drawn up on a ridge some seven hun-
dred yards from its west bank, with a strong line of
*The Federals bivouacked on Stubbs' farm, some three miles in advance of
Forrest. v
skirmishers thrown forward to the woods near the water's
edge to dispute the Confederate advance. No artillery
being visible, Forrest, quickly dismounting two regi-
ments of Bell's Brigade, moved with them and his es-
cort (the latter mounted) up the creek leftward, and
crossed without any resistance, taking the Federals on
their right fiank. At this moment they again broke,
after a very slight skirmish, and the whole Confederate
force, crossing the stream, resumed the pursuit.
As the advance of Bell's BrigadeWilson's Regi-
mentapproached Ripley, about eight a. m., the enemy
were found drawn up in two strong battle lines just in
the outskirts, north-west of the place, stretching across
the roads leading to LaGrange and Salem. Forrest,
coming up with his escort, immediately dismounted
them and Wilson's men, and without waiting for any
-additional force advanced to the attack ; but sending
orders, however, to General Buford to throw Rucker
around to gain their rear on the LaGrange road, and to
hurry up with the other regiments. Wilson's Regiment
and the escort, advancing under cover of the houses and
fences of Ripley, opened with an effective fire upon the
Federal lines, inflicting so sharp a loss that, after a few
moments, they broke, leaving upon the field thirty of
their dead and sixty wounded.
Buford, having now brought up the other troops, was
directed to pursue with Lyon's and Rucker's Brigades,
and hang closely upon the Federal rear on the road
toward Salem, through Davenport, while Forrest,* with
*
Several miles before reaching Salem the Confederate General fell from hij
liorse from sheer exhaustion, and for more than an hour lay in a state of stupor
by the roadside. This, perhaps, is another reason why he failed to intercept
the enemy at Salem. It is about fifty miles from Brice's Cross Roads to Salem,
and Ripley is about midway between.
June, 1864. 395
Bell's Brigade, would endeavor to reach Salem sooner
by a left-hand way, somewhat more direct, with the hope
of thus intercepting- the main body of the retreating
enemy at this point. Buford, however, took up the
pursuit with such vigor that this expectation was disap-
pointed, Directed to lead and charge without dismount-
ing, Rucker made several spirited onsets upon the Fed-
eral rear guard. Sweeping it rapidly ahead of him,
capturing several hundred prisoners, Rucker's horses
became finally so jaded that Buford relieved that brigade
with Lyon's. Meanwhile Colonel Barteau, having been
detached, as previously mentioned, with a part of the
Second Tennessee, dashing aheadsometimes along
country roads, and at other times through the woods,
leaving Ripley about two miles to the rightfinally
struck the Federal column some eigfht miles from that
place on the Salem road. The enemy were now moving
along a ridge four deepinfantry in the center and cav-
alry on each side of the roadwith a beautiful open
woods between them and Barteau's men. Taking in
the situation at a g-lance, and deciding: that this was the
time and place to strike a blow, the Colonel, quickly
dismounting his small band, gallantly led them to the
onset. Strange as it may appear, the Federals did not
seem to observe the approach of the Confederates until
the latter turned loose a volley within sixty or seventy
yards of the former. The road in our immediate front
was cleared in an instant, and the enemy fired but few
shots at us. As he had heard no firing in the rear for
some time previous to this, and thinking that perhaps
Forrest had stopped the chase, Barteau decided that it
would be prudent for him to fall back a short distance in
order to ascertain what was
oroina
on in the rear. Doak
Carr (Company D) and B. A, High (Company G), twa
daring riders, remained and skirmished with the enemy
a short time, when General Buford, closing up on their
rear with Lyon's Brigade, captured about eight hundred
Federals that Barteau had cut off as above named. As
soon as he learned that the Confederates were still in
pursuit, Barteau, turning westward again, arrived at
Salem about sunset, and went into camp.* By the
time Salem was reached, however, it was apparent that
no body of the Federal force was retreating on that
road, but only widely dispersed stragglers. Buford, turn-
ing northward, with Lyon's Brigade and Russell's Reg-
iment, resumed the chase in the direction of LaGrancre,
while a detachment under Lieutenant- Colonel Holt
(Third Kentucky) followed toward Lamar. So ex-
hausted had the horses now become generally that few
were able to keep up and reach the extreme points of
pursuit on the iith, which, on the way to LaGrange,
was Davis' Mi^ll, where Buford halted after dark, and
gave his men and animals several hours' rest.
Meanwhile, Forrest, having led Bell's Brigade (ex-
*
Since writing the above I have received a letter from Lieutenant A. H.
French (Company A) from which I take the following:
"Only for the action of Colonel Dawson, of General Forrest's staff, our reg-
iment would have captured half of the enemy's forces at a point west of Ripley,
Mississippi, on the' Salem road, wheie we intercepted and attacked the advance
of the retreating enemy; and right here tliey turned due north, through woods
and fields, and fled to a post on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad (Poca-
hontas, I think).
"As we were in the act of pursuit Colonel Dawson came up and informed us.
that we were being surrounded and would soon be cut off and captured. Colo-
nel Barteau acting on this ordered a retreatthus losing to us one of the best
opportunities of winning a name that would have gone down to coming gener-
ations in flames of glory.
"
But few of the officers of the regiment who knew of Colonel Dawson's re-
port believed it, and many were quite loth to obey the command to halt and
retreat."
June, 18G4. 397
cept a part of the Second Tennessee), as I have related,
by a shorter route, nevertheless, on reaching Salem,
found that Buford was in his advance. Thereupon, per-
mittinof Colonel Bell to return to the battlefield to look
after the dead and wounded, he directed Colonel Wil-
son to proceed with a part of the brigade, including a
detachment of the Second Tennessee (previously men-
tioned), on the route taken by Buford, and sweep the
country for prisoners and arms, but not long after dis-
patched orders to Buford recalling the pursuit. How-
ever, Colonel Wilson, with his regiment and Companies
I and K of the Second Tennessee, foUowing two days
longer and capturing a few more prisoners, turned back
six miles west of Moscow, in Wêst Tennessee. Ruck-
er's and Johnson's Brigades turned back at Salem.
Having directed his command to scour the country for
Federal stragglers and property (the road was profusely
strewn with harness, small arms, ammunition and other
accoutrements of a routed army) as they returned to
the battlefield. General Forrest, still greatly fatigued
and exhausted by the extreme mental exertion he had
undergone, now set out on his return, and slept that
night (nth) with his staff and escort, at the house of
a paternal uncleOrrin Beckthree or four miles from
Salem, and almost within sight of the little farm upon
which had been passed the years of his youth, for the
most part in a hard, resolute struggle for the means of
support for a widowed mother and her family of eleven
children.*
COMMENTARIES.
I. The Federal force engaged, says their Official Re-
port, consisted of Warren's and Winslow's Brigades,
*
Forrest's Campaigns, page 481.
398 1\. It. Hancock's Diakv.
three thousand three hundred cavalry ; Wilkins' and
Hoge's (white) and Benton's (negro) Brigades of in-
fantry, five thousand four hundred strongtotal eight
thousand seven hundred. The Confederate force at no
time exceeded three thousand two hundred men ; and
of this number one-fourth, or eight hundred, were de-
tached to hold the horses, thus reducing the fighting men
actually to about two thousand four hundred, less (by
five hundred) than one-third of the Federal army. Not-
withstanding the great odds against the Confederates,
"seldom," says the writer of "Forrest's Campaigns"
"almost neverwas an army more completely beaten

and dispersed than that of Sturgis' on this occasion."
In speaking of the Confederates the same writer says
:
"The courage manifested throughout, rarely equaled in
the aggregate on any field, has never been surpassed."
2. The enemy began to retreat about four p. m. on
the loth, and by nightfall on the iith they had been
driven some sixty miles, with the loss of nineteen pieces
of artillery, twenty-one caissons, over two hundred wag-
ons and thirty ambulances,* with parts of their teams
and large quantities of subsistence, small arms, ammu-
nition, and other material of war. More than two thou-
sand officers and men, including the wounded, were
taken prisoners, and one thousand nine hundred of their
dead were left on the field or by the wayside between
the battlefield and Ripley. The Confederate losses
were at least one hundred and forty officers and men
"One very large ambulance, which was constructed for the purpose, might
be termed a portable drug store. It was well filled with both drugs and sur-
gical instruments. Dr.
J.
W. Harrison (our Assistant Surgeon, who, I think,
was the first to discover its contents) fortunately procured a good supply of
medicine for the use and benefit of the Second Tenneasee; and, to use the Doc-
tor's own language, "I [he] got from that ambulance a case of the finest sur-
gical instruments that I ever saw."
June, 1804. 399
killed, and nearly five hundred were wounded. Bell's
Brigade lost twenty-six killed and one hundred and six
wounded.
3.
The action was far bloodier than it would have
been had not the negroes entered upon the campaign
inspired by their ofiicers with the conviction that no
quarter would be given them; inspired, too, with the
resolution to give no quarter. In fact, General Wash-
burne confesses, in his letter to General Forrest (printed
hereafter, page
)
that these negro troops had, while
on their knees before leaving Memphis, taken an oath
to avenge Fort Pillow, and that they would show For-
rest's troops no quarter. Impressed with' this notion,
and animated by the apprehension engendered, they per-
versely refused to halt and surrender. Consequently
many of them were shot down while thus wildly persist-
ing in seeking safety in flight. They got rid of every
thing that impeded their progress. Some of them even
went so far as to cut off the legs of their pants at the
knees.
The above facts show why so many were killed and
so few captured. Had they (both white and black)
known how kindly they would have been treated by
Forrest and his men, I am sure that many more of them,
if not all, would have surrendered in place of taking to
the woods and swamps as they did after becoming ex-
hausted. I am aware of the fact that the foregoing, or
any true account of this action and pursuit, will appear
exaggerated to any one who was not an eye-witness.
Smiday, iztJi. Forrest's command all turned back,
except (as previously mentioned) Wilson's Regiment
and a part of the Second Tennessee, scouring the coun-
try for some distance on either side of the highway for
Federal stragglers and property as they returned. Col-
onel Barteau ordered his squadron to move, in small
detachments, through the country on the left or north-
east side of the main road, take up all the Federal
stragglers that could be found, and report at Ripley by
eight o'clock next morning.
The followingr incidents will illustrate the manner in
which the enemy were
"
hunted down," both in the chase
and on the return : Four of Company C (including the
writer) were riding along together when a lady standing
by the road remarked to us, "I saw a negro passing
through those bushes only a few moments ago." Dash-
ing out in the direction the lady pointed we soon found
three negroes, who had concealed themselves as best
they could among some logs in the bushes. We were
more humane to them, however, than they had sworn to
be to us. We did not kill them on the spot, as the poor,
misguided wretches had been made to believe, but, on
the contrary, we treated them as kindly as we would
have done had no threats been made, and marching
them to Ripley turned them over to the Confederates
who had charge of the other prisoners. Sometimes
they were made prisoners thus : As the Confederates
would be passing a place where the undergrowth was
so dense that one could not be seen five steps, they,
without seeing any one, would halt and call out :
"
Come
out of there, you grand rascals, or I will kill you."
Perhaps two or three, thinking that they had been dis-
covered, would come crawling out and surrender.
Monday, 13th.Barteau's Squadron having, accord-
ing to previous orders, reassembled at Ripley by eight
A. M., moved down and camped near the battlefield,
within five miles of Guntown. General Forrest estab-
lished his headquarters at that place in the afternoon.
June, 18C4. 401
Tuesday, i^th.
Johnson's Brigade of Roddy's Divis-

ion was ordered to Baldwin, and from there to Corinth.
Buford's Division moved to Guntown on the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad. Forrest's command was now all very
busy collecting and burying the dead, removing the
wounded of both sides to hospitals along the line of the
railroad, and gleaning and hauling the spoils from the
battlefield to Guntown ;
*
from there they were being
shipped south by rail.
Wednesday, i^th.General Forrest repairing to Tu-
pelo with his staff and escort, established his headquarters
at that central position. General Chalmers, having been
previously ordered from Montevallo, Alabama, was now
at Columbus, Mississippi, with McCuUoch's Brigade
and Walton's Battery, and after a few days Rucker's
Brigade was directed to take post at the same place.
Mabry's Brigade, which had been previously doing ser-
vice in the western part of Mississippi, along the Yazoo
River, likewise had come within the limits of Forrest's
command, and was now posted at Okolona. This bri-
gade, which was attached to Buford's Division, was
composed of the Fourth, Sixth, and Thirty-eighth
Mississippi, and the Fourteenth Confederate Regi-
mients.
Saturday, i8tJi. General Buford, with Lyon's Brigade^
moved from Guntown to Baldwin.
Sunday, igtJi.Bell's Brigade moved from Guntown
(south) to Saltillo.
The following congratulatory order explains itself:
*A good citizen who lived in that vicinity on being informed that Forrest
wanted to borrow some of his mules to assist in hauling p'under from the bat-
tlefield, replied: "Yes, sir, General Forrest can get anything that I have except
viy ivife.''^
26
Headquarters Second Division, Forrest's Cavalry.
Baldwin, Miss., June 19th, 1864.
Soldiers
of
the Second Division :
Your action on the loth and nth instant marks an era in the history
of war. No parallel can be found in history of such a battle fought
and won by cavalry. No battle was more decisive, no victory more
full, no defeat more complete, no pursuit more rapid and exciting.
Contending with the enemy in infantry (twice your number) fully
and splendidly equipped and protected by cavalry superior to the
whole force engaged, you demolished his army, captured his artillery
and wagon train, obtained his supplies, and rescued a helpless popula-
tion from the insolent domination of a ruthless foe.
Kentuckians and Tennesseans of the Third and Fourth Brigades,
you have placed your names conspicuously on glory's most honorable-
roll. Veterans and recruits, you emulated each the other in coolness,
bravery and determination. Your immediate commanders. Colonels
Lyon and Bell, may well congratulate themselves in commanding
troops so vigorous in action, so unflinching in endurance, so prompt
in obedience, and so irresistible in battle.
To the brave ones who fell we drop a soldier's tear. We feel their
loss. The memory of their noble deeds will be emulated by the liv-
ing and their blood avenged on the dastard foe.
Where all officers and privates displayed such high courage and such
noted gallantry it would be invidious to draw distinctions. Let us
rather return thanks to an allwise Providence for the signal exhibition
of his power vouchsafed us, and press forward with renewed zeal to
secure our independence, determined that no act shall tarnish the
luster of the glory you so proudly have won. You merit and will re-
ceive a country's benediction. A. Buford,
Brigadier- General Commanding.
Thomas N. Crowder,
A. A. A. General.
Monday, 20tJi. Buford, with Lyon's Brigade, moved
from Baldwin about twenty miles south to Tupelo, where
he was joined the next day by Bell's Brigade. The
Second Tennessee camped on the same ground that it
had frequentl)^ occupied before, three miles north-west
of town. Here our division took a much needed rest
of sixteen days.
June, 18G4. 403
The following correspondence between General For-
rest and the Federal commander at Memphis is taken
from "Forrest's Campaigns," page
485:
Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry,
In the Field, June 14, 1864.
General Washburne, Commanding U. S. Forces, Memphis, Tenn. ;
General: It has been reported to me that all your colored troops
stationed at Memphis took on their knees, in the presence of Major-
General Hurlbut and other officers of your army, an oath to avenge
Fort Pillow, and that they would show my troops no quarter. x\gain,
I have it from indisputable authority that the troops under Brigadier-
General Sturgis, on their recent march from Memphis, publicly and
in many places proclaimed that no quarter would be shown my men.
As they were moved into action on the loth they were exhorted to re-
member Fort Pillow. The prisoners we have captured from that com-
mand, or a large majority of them, have voluntarily stated that they
expected us to murder them, otherwise they would have surrendered
in a body rather than take to the bushes after being run down and ex-
hausted. The recent battle of Tishamingo Creek* was far more
bloody than it would otherwise have been but for the fact that your
men evidently expected to be slaughtered when captured, and both
sides acted as though neither felt safe in surrendering, even when fur-
ther resistance was useless. The prisoners captured by us say they
felt condemned by the announcements, etc., of their own command-
ers, and expected no quarter.
In all my operations since it began, I have conducted the war on
civilized principles, and desire still to do so; but it is due to my com-
mand that they should know the position they occupy and the policy
you intend to pursue. I therefore respectfully ask whether my men
now in your hands are treated as other Confederate prisoners of war,
also the course intended to be pursued in regard to those who may
hereafter fall into your hands.
I have in my possession quite a number of wounded officers and
men of General Sturgis' command, all of whom have been treated as
well as we are able to treat them, and are mostly in charge of a sur-
geon left at Ripley by General Sturgis to look after the wounded.
Some of them are too severely wounded to be removed at present. I
*0r Brice's Cross-Roads.
404 L". K. IIaxcock's Diaky.
am willing to exchange them for any men of my command you have^
and as soon as able to be removed will give them safe escort through
our lines in charge of the surgeon left with them. I made such an
arrangement once with Major-General Hurlbut, and am willing to re-
new it, provided it is desired, as it would be better than to subject
them to the long and fatiguing trip necessary to a regular exchange at
City Point, Va. I am, General, etc., N. B. Forrest,
Major- General.
The above communication, dispatched under flag of
truce, drew an answer as follows
:
Headquarters District of West Tennessee,
Memphis, Tenn., June 19, 1864.
Major- General N. B. Forrest, Commanding Confederate Forces
:
General: Your communication of the 14th instant is received.
In regard to that part of your letter which relates to colored troops.
I beg to say that I have already sent a communication on the same
subject to the officer in command of the Confederate forces at Tupelo.
Having understood that Major-General S. D. Lee was in command
there, I directed my letter to him. A copy of it I inclose.
You say in your letter that it has been reported to you "that all the
negro troops stationed in Memphis took an oath on their knees in the
presence of Major-General Hurlbut and other officers of our army, to-
avenge Fort Pillow, and that they would show your troops no quarter."
I believe it is true that the colored troops did take such an oath, but
not in the presence of General Hurlbut. From what I can learn this
act of theirs was not influenced by any white officer, but was the re-
sult of their own sense of what was due to themselves and their fel-
lows who had been mercilessly slaughtered. I have no doubt that
they went into the field, as you allege, in the full belief that they
would be murdered in case they fell into your hands. The affair at
Fort Pillow fully justified that belief. I am not aware as to what they:
proclaimed on their late march, and it may be, as you say, that they
declared that no quarter would be given to any of your men that
might fall into their hands.
Your declaration that you have conducted the war on all occasions
on civilized principles cannot be accepted; but I receive with satisfac-
tion the intimation in your letter that the recent slaughter of colored
troops at the battle of Tishamingo Creek resulted rather from the des-
peration with which they fought than a predetermined intention to.
June, 1804. 405
give them no quarter. You must have learned by this time that the
attempt to intimidate the colored troops by indiscriminate slaughter
has signally failed, and that instead of a feeling of terror you have
aroused a spirit of courage and desperation that will not down at your
bidding.
I am left in doubt by your letter as to the course you and the Con-
federate Government intend to pursue hereafter in regard to colored
troops, and I beg you to advise me with as little delay as possible as
to your intention. If you intend to treat such of them as fall into
your hands as prisoners of war, please so state. If you do not so in-
tend, but contemplate either their slaughter or their return to slavery,
please state that^ so that we may have no misunderstanding hereafter.
If the former is your intention I shall receive the announcement with
pleasure, and shall explain the fact to the colored troops at once and
desire that they recall the oath that they have taken. If the latter is
the case, then let the oath stand, and upon those who have aroused
this spirit by their atrocities, and upon the Government and people
who sanction it be the consequences.
In regard to your incjuiry relating to prisoners of your command in
our hands, I state that they have always received the treatment which
a great and humane Government extends to its prisoners. What course
will be pursued hereafter toward them must, of course, depend on cir-
cumstances that may arise. If your command hereafter do nothing
which should properly exclude them from being treated as prisoners of
war, they will be so treated.
I thank you for your offer to exchange wounded officers and men
in your hands. If you will send them in I will exchange man for
man, so far as I have the ability to do so.
Before closing this letter I wish to call your attention to one case
of unparalleled outrage and murder that has been brought to my
notice, and in regard to which the evidence is overwhelming.
Among the prisoners captured at Fort Pillow was Major Bradford,
who had charge of the fort after the fall of Major Booth. After being
taken a prisoner he was started with other prisoners in charge of Colo-
nel Duckworth foi; Jackson. At Brownsville they rested overnight.
The following morning two companies were detailed by Colonel Duck-
worth to proceed to Jackson with the prisoners. After they had started
and proceeded a very short distance five soldiers were recalled by Colo-
nel Duckworth and were conferred with by him. They then rejoined
406 K. E. Haxcock's Diary.
the column, and after proceeding about five miles from Brownsville
the column was halted and Major Bradford taken about fifty yards
from the roadside and deliberately shot by the five men who had been
recalled by Colonel Duckworth, and his body left unburied upon the
ground where he fell. He now lies buried near the spot, and if you
desire you can easily satisfy yourself of the truth of what I assert.
I beg leave to say to you that this transaction hardly justifies your
remark that your operations have been conducted on civilized princi-
ples, and until you take some steps to bring the perpetrators of this
outrage to justice the world will not fail to believe that it has your
sanction. I am, General, respectfully your obedient servant,
C. C. Washburne,
Major- General.
It seems that while P'orrest's letter of the 14th of
Jtine
was on its way to the Federal headquarters, the follow-
ing touching the same subject had been written by Gen-
eral Washburne and dispatched on the 17th to Major-
General Lee
:
Headquarters District of West Tennessee,
Memphis, Tenn., June 17th, 1864.
Major-General S. D. Lee, Commanding Confederate Forces, near Tupelo,
Mississippi
:
GeneralWhen I heard that the forces of Brigadier-General Stur-
gis had been driven back and a portion of them probably captured, I
felt considerable solicitude for the fate of two colored regiments that
formed a part of the command until I was informed that the Confed-
erate forces were commanded by you. When I heard that I became
satisfied that no atrocities would be committed upon those troops, but
that they would receive the treatment which humanity, as well as their
gallant conduct, demanded. I regret to say that the hope that I en-
tertained has been dispelled by facts which have recently come to my
knowledge.
From statements that have been made to me by colored soldiers
who were eye witnesses, it would seem that the massacre of Fort Pil-
low had been reproduced at the late affair at Brice's Cross-Roads.
The details of the atrocities there committed I will not trouble you
with. If true, and not disavowed, they must lead to consequences
hereafter fearful to contemplate. It is best that we should now have
June, 18G4. 407
a fair understanding upon the question of treatment of this class of
soldiers.
If it is contemplated by the Confederate Government to murder all
colored troops that may by the chances of war fall into their hands, as
was the case at Fort Pillow,* it is but fair that it should be truly and
openly avowed. Within the last six weeks I have, on two occasions,
sent colored troops into the field from this point. In the expectation
that the Confederate Government would disavow the action of their
commanding general at the Fort Pillow massacre, I have forborne to
issue any instructions to the colored troops as to the course they should
pursue toward Confederate soldiers that might fall into their hands,
f
but seeing no disavowal on the part of the Confederate Government,
but, on the contrary, laudations from the entire Southern press of the
perpetrators of the massacre, I may safely presume that indiscriminate
slaughter is to be the fate of colored troops that fall into your hands.
But I am not willing to leave a matter of such grave import, and
involving consequences so fearful, to inference, and I have, therefore,
thought it proper to address you this, believing that you would be able
to indicate the policy that the Confederate Government intended to
pursue hereafter in this question. If it is intended to raise the black
flag against that unfortunate race, they will cheerfully accept the issue.
Up to this time no troops have fought more gallantly, and none have
conducted themselves with greater propriety. They have fully vindi-
cated their right (so long denied) to be treated as men. I hope that I
have been misinformed in regard to the treatment they have received
at the batde of Price's Cross-Roads, and that the accounts received
result rather from the excited imaginations of the fugitives than from
actual facts.
For the government of the colored troops under my command, I
would thank you to inform me, with as little delay as possible, if it is
*I saw tlie colored prisoners as they were marched oft from Fort Pillow, and
consequently I kno7v that they were not murdered as above stated.
tBut admits in his letter to Forrest (ante, page 701)
that he knew at the same
time those troops had gone into the field breathing vengeance and sworn to give
no quarter to Confederates who might fall into their hands. Knowing as he did
that those colored troops had gone into the field sworn to give no quarter, how
could Washburne, in the face of these facts, complain of "atrocities" having
been committed upon them? In the language of another: "Assuredly the
drums around the Federal General must have driven thought from his head."
See Forrest's reply to the above on next page.
your intention, or the intention of the Confederate Government, to
murder colored soldiers that may fall into your hands, or treat them
as prisoners of war, and subject to be exchanged as other prisoners?
I am, General, respectfully, etc., C. C. Washburne,
Major-General.
As this communication passed through Forrest's liands
he repHed as follows
:
Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry,
Tupelo, June 23d, 1864.
Major-General C. C. Washburne, Conmiandi7ig U. S. Forces, Meniphis
:
GeneralI have the honor to acknowledge the receipt (per flag
of truce) of your letter of the 17th instant, addressed to Major-Gen-
eral S. D. Lee, or officer commanding Confederate forces near Tupelo.
I have forwarded it to General Lee with a copy of this letter.
I regard your letter as discourteous to the commanding officer of
this department, and grossly insulting to myself. You seek, by implied
threats, to intimidate him, and assume the privilege of denouncing me
as a murderer, and as guilty of wholesale slaughter of the garrison at
Fort Pillow, and found your assertion upon the ex parte testimony of
(your friends) the enemies of myself and country.
I shall not enter into the discussion, therefore, of any of the ques-
tions involved, nor undertake any refutation of the charges madeJjy
you against myself. Nevertheless, as a matter of personal privilege
alone, I unhesitatmgly say that they are unfounded, and unwarranted
by the facts. But whether these charges are true or false, they, with
the question you ask, as to whether negro troops, when captured, will
be recognized and treated as prisoners of war, subject to exchange,
etc., are matters which the Governments of the United States and the
Confederate States are to decide and adjustnot their subordinate
officers. I regard captured negroes as I do other captured property,
and not as captured soldiers; but as to how regarded by my Govern-
ment, and the disposition which has been and will hereafter be made of
them, I respectfully refer you, through the proper channel, to the
authorities at Richmond.
It is not the policy or the interest of the South to destroy the negro;
on the contrary, to preserve and protect him; and all wlio have sur-
rendered to us have received kind and humane treatment.
Since the war began I have captured many thousand Federal pris-
oners, and they, including the survivors of the "Fort Pillow massacre,"
black and white, are living witnesses of the fact that, with my knowl-
June, 1864.
400
edge or consent, or by my orders, not one of them has ever been
insulted or maltreated in any way.
You speak of your forbearance in "not giving to your negro troops
instructions and orders as to the course they should pursue in regard
to Confederate soldiers that might fall into (your) their hands," which
clearly conveys to my mind two very distinct impressions. The first
is, that in not giving them instructions and orders, you have left the
matter entirely to tlie discretion of the negroes as to how they should
dispose of prisoners; second, an implied threat, to give such orders
as will lead to "consequences too fearful" for contemplation. In
confirmation of the correctness of the first impression (which your
,
language now fully develops) I refer you most respectfully to my letter
from the battlefield of Tishamingo Creek, and forwarded to you by
flag of truce on the 14th instant. As to the second impression, you
seem disposed to take into your own hands the settlement which
belongs to, and can only be settled by, your Government. But if you
are prepared to take upon yourself the responsibility of inaugurating
a system of warfare contrary to civilized usages, the onus, as well as
the consequences, will be chargeable to yourself.
Depreciating, as I should do, such a state of affairs; determined, as
I am, not to be instrumental in bringing it about; feeling and know-
ing, as I do, that I have the approval of my Government, my people,
and my own conscience, as to the past, and with the firm belief that
I will be sustained by them in my future policy, it is left with you to
determine what that policy shall bewhether in accordance with the
laws of civilized nations or in violation of them.
Very respectfully, etc.,
N. B. Forrest,
Major- General.
Wednesday, 22d*General Roddy's Division
John-
About this time we, of McKnight's Company, were called upon to mourn
the loss of another one of our comrades. C. E. Hancock (son of Alfred Han-
cock and cousin to the writer) died, after a long spell of sickness, on the 4th of
June, 1864, at his uncle's, in Franklin County, Alabama. He was mustered
into service, with Captain T. M. Allison's Company, June 28th, 1861. He was
slightly wounded at the battle of Denmark, in West Tennessee, on the 1st of
September, 1862. He made a splendid soldier, never shrinking from duty,
whether the call was to go on picket, on a scout, or to meet the enemy upon
the battlefield. He was greatly lamented and missed by all of his comrades,
as well as his brother, R. M. Hancock, who was also a member of McKnight's
'Company.
son's and Patterson's Brigadeshaving been placed un-
der Forrest, was now stationed at Corinth, except three
hundred men left in North Alabama to meet any raids
from Decatur. By this time information was received
from sources so reliable as to satisfy General Forrest,
that a Federal force was preparing to march from Mem-
phis against him larger than either of the columns which
he had discomfited. Informing his superior of the fact,
he made new and additional dispositions to keep the
impending Federal movement under the closest observa-
tion.
Thursday, 2jd.A detachment of some four hundred
men, drawn from Bell's and Lyon's Brigades at Tupelo,
was thrown forward, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jesse
Forrest, to Ripley, to hold in observation the many roads
converging upon that important strategic position.
The Federal force, now under Major-General A.
J.
Smith, concentrated at LaGrange, on the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad, east of Memphis, where it remained
for several days.
The first week in
July
the work of preparation for the
menaced conflict was pressed with unabated activity and
attention to detail. Chalmers' Division, having been
previously ordered up from Columbus, was now at Ve-
rona, and Mabry's Brigade had moved from Okolona to
Saltillo. The outpost at Ripley was strengthened by
the First Mississippi, from McCulloch's Brigade, and
the command of the post now devolved upon Lieuten-
ant-Colonel S, M, Hyams,
Thursday,
July
yth. General A.
J.
Smith, having
broken up camps at LaGrange on the 5th, was now
moving south-east toward Ripley.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Hvams had a skirmish with a stronof Federal column a
July, 1864. 411
few miles in advance of Ripley, and was forced, by the
weight of greatly superior numbers, to fall back to
Ripley.
Friday, 8th. Bell's Brigade, breaking up camps three
miles north-west of Tupelo, moved out twenty-five rniles
in the direction of Ripley, By this time the Federal
advance had passed Ripley, and was pressing Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Hyams back in the direction of Ellistown.
Colonel Bell, with Russell's and Newsom's Regiments,
moved on to picket the Tallahatchie River, while Bar-
teau's* and Wilson's Regiments, turning back, camped
at Ellistown, eighteen miles north-west of Tupelo.
While Smith was pressing Hyams back toward Ellis-
town with his cavalry, he was moving his main force
southward toward New Albany.
General S, D. Lee came up to Tupelo by rail with
some eight or nine hundred infantry from Mobile. All
tents and superfluous baggage were ordered to be sent
south by rail.
*D. B. Willard (Company C) having been ordered to the head of the column.
Colonel Barteau said: "Willard, the Federals, for the last two or three da3's,
have been reported to be 'just over yonder.'' I want you to take two men with
you, go till you
find
them, and then report back to me at the rate of eight miles
per hour." John Barkley (Company C) and John M. Crow (Company B) went
with Willard. Captain O. B. Farris (Company K) volunteered to go with them,
but had to turn back on account of his horse becoming lame. After riding all
night they met the enemy at New Albany about one hour by sun the next
morning. Taking a position in a lane, where they could see the Federals march-
ing into town, they soon found that their cavalry had swung round to the Ellis-
town road only a short distance in rear of our boys. As the enemy now closed
on them from both ends of the lane, they narrowly escaped capture by dashing
ofT through an old field southward, forcing their horses to leap fences and
ditches in their pathway. As soon as out of danger Barkley and Crow checked
up and rode at their leisure, while Willard, ever prompt to obey orders, pressed
on until he found Colonel Barteau and reported the whereabouts of the enemy.
Willard's horsea fine, large, bay charger, the one, too, upon which he had
first entered the service, in June, 1861 died a few days after from the effect of
this hard ride. Perhaps there was not a horse in the regiment that was better
known than "Old George."
-412 E. R. Hancock's Diary,
Satiu'day, gth. The Second Tennessee, being de-
tached from the brig-ade at ElHstown, was led westward
by Colonel Barteau to the New Albany-Pontotoc road
to watch the movements of the enemy in that quarter.
On reaching the above-named road, six miles south of
New Albany, Colonel Barteau deployed his men in bat-
tle line and awaited the Federal advance. The enemy
crossed the Tallahatchie River at New Albany and
encamped on its southern bank, therefore they did
not trouble us that evening-. Colonel Barteau fell back
three or four miles east and encamped on a small
creek.
McCulloch's Brigade was thrown out to Pontotoc, and
-General Buford, with Lyon's and Mabry's Brigades, to
Ellistown, where he was joined by Bell's Brigadeex-
cept the Second Tennessee detachedand thence, by a
forced march that night, to the vicinity of Pontotoc.
Roddy was, likewise, ordered to hasten, by forced marches
night and day, from Corinth to Okolona.
Siuiday, lotJi. In the saddle before daybreak. Colo-
nel Barteau, with his regiment, was soon on the main
highway leading from New Albany to Pontotoc, ready
to observe and report any movement of the enemy along
that road. Nor was it long before the Federal advance
made its appearance, and skirmishing commenced. The
Colonel now divided his regiment into detachments of
one or two companies each. These detachments were
quickly thrown into line two or three hundred yards
apart, extending back in the direction of Pontotoc. As
the enemy advanced the first line would fire, fall back,
and form in rear, then the second would do likewise, and
so on. Thus Colonel Barteau was pressed back to
within four miles of Pontotoc.
July, 18G4. 413
I take the following, in reference to the above affair,,
from Colonel Barteau's manuscript notes
:
The enemy did not move until nine o'clock in the morning, and
then in three columns, each preceded by a brigade of cavalry, in front
of the middle and main one of which was my regiment, unaided by
any other command. His first movement in the morning was a charge
upon my little command, which we very successfully checked by hav-
ing a good position behind a bridge, which we destroyed, and thus
impeded his progress for two hours and a half.
The conduct of Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson with Company A was
particularly noticeable herecoming in hand-to-hand contact with the
advance of the enemy's charge and emptying their saddles with his-
own pistol. His conduct seemed to be much admired and applauded
even by the Yankee troops, and served as an incentive to my own
men.
We continued to annoy the enemy's progress, contesting as best we
could every inch of the ground until we reached Cherry Creek, where
they camped again for the night, having advanced that day but seven
miles.
The enemy moved very cautiously. Their advance
guard did not move far in advance of the main column.
They camped eight miles north of Pontotoc, on Cherry
Creek. Barteau allowed his men to dismount and rest
for some time when within one mile of town. After
being relieved by a part of McCulloch's Brigade, Bar-
teau, moving through Pontotoc, camped six miles east
on the Tupelo road, while Buford, with the rest of our
division, moved out and encamped on the Okolona road.
Generals Lee and Forrest established their headquar-
ters at Okolona, and the former, as senior, took the
general direction of affairs. General Chalmers, arriv-
ing at Pontotoc with Rucker's Brigade, assumed com-
mand of all the Confederates in that vicinity.
The Confederates were further reinforced at Okolona
by Neely's and Gholson's Brigades, which had beerk
brought up dismounted, the former from Alabama and
the latter from South Mississippi.
Monday, i ith. The enemy, quitting their camp on
Cherry Creek at sunrise, pushed McCulloch slowly
before them until he was relieved by Lyon with his bri-
gade at Pinson's Hill, a strong position on the Oko-
lona road two miles from Pontotoc, which Lyon strength-
ened by infantry cover of rails and logs. The Federals,
however, moving cautiously and slowly, after feeling
Lyon's pickets, disappeared from his front about sunset.
Quitting his picket post on the Tupelo road a little
before sunset, Barteau moved east and encamped within
three miles of Verona, leaving the Confederates around
Pontotoc posted as follows : Rucker's Brigadethe Con-
federate rightoccupied the Tupelo road, Mabry sup-
ported Lyon on the Okolona road and McCulloch held
the Houston road, to the leftward of Lyon, with a small
force thrown out on the extreme left and south-west of
Pontotoc, to watch the road from that place to Oxford,
while numerous scouts were to encircle the Federal
army. With his forces thus disposed, Chalmers was
now ordered to skirmish obstinately with the enemy,
and, if practicable, to detain them from reaching Oko-
lona for two days longer, so that the preparations might
be completed for their reception. Bell's Brigade was
withdrawn to the vicinity of Okolona, twenty-five miles
from Pontotoc.
Ttiesday, iztJi. The enemy, after some preliminary
skirmishing, attacked Lyon's position vigorously, but
were foiled without difficulty. Simultaneously, Federal
columns had moved out respectively on the Tupelo and
Houston roads, encountering and being checked by
Duff's Reofiment on the former and Willis' Texas Bat-
July, 1864. 415
talion on the latter. And thus stood affairs around Pon-
totoc at sunset.
We of the Second Tennessee, quittuig our camp
three miles west of Verona early in the morning, moved
south-westward to the Okolona-Pontotoc road ; thence
north-west to within nine miles of the latter place, when
we were ordered to turn back and rejoin our brigade
near Okolona.
Meanwhile, after a consultation with General Forrest
and other superior officers of his command, General Lee
determined to draw the enemy into an immediate en-
gagement. And with that object in view he put all his
forces of every sort in motion late in the afternoon for
the position occupied by Chalmers near Pontotoc.
Therefore, we met Lee and Forrest within four miles ot
Okolona at the head of a Confederate column. Turn-
ing again, we halted and fed at Prairie Mound, seven
miles from Okolona. By this time it was dark. We
remained there until our brigade, and in fact the most
of the command, had passed. Swinging ourselves into
the saddle again, a little after midnight, we moved out
to overtake our brigade.
Wednesday, ijih.The Second Tennessee overtook
the rest of Bell's Brigade about daybreak within six
miles of Pontotoc. Pending the coming up of the
infantry and Neely's and Gholson's dismounted bri-
gades, the Federals having shown no disposition to ad-
vance, General Forrest, with Mabry's Brigade, Walton's
Battery and his escort, went forward to reconnoiter the
enemy's position. Within two miles of Pontotoc a P'ed-
eral outpost was encountered, which retired, skirmish-
ing, however, at all favorable positions, until finally
driven by Mabry through Pontotoc and to the Tupelo
41G E. E. Hancock's Diary.
road. It was at this time that Forrest learned that the
main Federal force had been in motion toward Tupelo
for several hours. Informing General Lee of this fact,
and taking the same direction, he followed with his
escort and Mabry's Brigade for four miles at a gallop,
when, coming up with, he drove their rear guard rapidly
back to their main column, and this brought about some
sharp fighting. When within three miles of Pontotoc
General Lee turned the head of the Confederate col-
umn eastward, hoping that Forrest would be able to
hold the enemy at bay until he (Lee) could come upon
their flank with the main Confederate force across from
the Okolona road. But in this expectation he was dis-
appointed. The Federals continued their movement,
without halting to make any serious combat, as far as a
creek about ten miles eastward of Pontotoc, and even
there, after a short skirmish, they crossed to the east
bank, and resumed their march toward Tupelo. More-
over, the roads upon which Chalmers' and Buford's
Divisions had to advance were narrow ways through
dense woods, in large part very unfavorable for the rapid
movement of cavalry. Therefore, General Lee was
unable to throw his forces upon the Federal fiank while
in movement as soon as or in the manner that had been
anticipated.
Meanwhile, Chalmers, moving across to the Tupelo
road with Rucker's Brigade, struck it about three p. m.,
at Barrow's Shop, twelve miles from Pontotoc. Select-
ing a favorable position he succeeded in driving the
Federals from a portion of their artillery and wagons
;
but this was a transient success, for the devastating
fire instantaneously poured into Rucker's small brigade
from flank and front could not be withstood, and the
July, 1804. 417
Confederates were forced to withdraw, with severe loss.
Eitrht waeons, two ambulances and one caisson, the
teams of which having been killed in Rucker's attack,
were here burned and abandoned by the Federals.
Late in the afternoon General Buford struck the Fed-
eral column with Bell's Brigade and Morton's Battery at
the intersection of the Pontotoc-Tupelo with the Ches-
terville-Okolona road, some four miles east of Tupelo.
As the Second Tennessee was somewhat in advance of
the rest of Bell's Brigade, General Buford ordered Col-
onel Barteau to dismount his men at Coonemar Creek,
nearly one mile south of the cross-roads above named,
move forward quickly, and capture some wagons that
were then passing. It would seem that Buford must
have thoup'ht that the Federal commander was not ex-
pecting an attack at that time and place, and that the
wagons were moving with a light guard, as he threw
forward only one regiment to capture them. However,
A.
J.
Smith was a general of too much experience and
cautio7i to allow himself to be taken unaware ; but, on
the contrary, he moved thoroughly prepared for an at-
tack, and his wagon train fully protected. So sure was
Buford of capturing at least a part of the wagons that
he remarked, as the Second Tennessee moved off,
*'
Boys, do not kill the mules, but turn them down this
way."
Colonel Barteau was pressing on and on toward the
cross-roads, driving the Federal skirmishers before him,
when a galling fire was suddenly poured into the Second
Tennessee from flank and front. Barteau saw at once
that the Federals were not only strongly posted in his
front, but that he was also overlapped on both flanks by
a, heavy force, and as the rest of the brigade was not
27
418 E. E. Haxcock's Diakt.
yet in supporting distance, he saw that the only alterna-
tive to avoid having- all his men either killed or captured
was to beat a hasty retreat. Therefore he withdrew his
men as quickly as possible. to the rest of the brigade.
About this time, too, the Kentucky Brigade, now under
Colonel Crossland,* came up. The two brigades were
then thrown forward, dismounted, to a favorable position
to repel attack. Skirmishers were then thrown forward
and firing was kept up until about dark.
Forrest, now reinforced by Rucker's Brigade, still
hung upon the Federal rear up to within about three
miles of Tupelo. A thin line of pickets was then left,
and the rest of the Confederate forces went into camp,,
Chalmers' Division at the cross-roads above mentioned,
Buford's. including Mabry's Brigade, lay in his front
about one mile west of Harrisburg, and Roddy to his
right. The day had been so excessively warm and op-
pressive that the infantry and dismounted cavalry under
General Lyon were not yet up. The Second Tennessee
was ordered southward to picket the road leading from
Verona to Pontotoc.
I take the following, in reference to our engagement
at the cross-roads on the eve of the 13th, from Colonel
Barteau's manuscript notes:
My regiment was thrown in first, unsupported, and for fifteen
minutes against two batteries and two divisions of the enemy. The
result was, we were encompassed and cut to pieces. I lost some of
my best officers and thirty men.
The other regiments that came to our support too late were unable
to stand, and likewise fell back.
Had the attack been made by all of Buford's Division at once at
this place, as Forrest was then on the rear, I have reason to believe
the enemy would have been thrown into great confusion, and would
*
General Lyon was commanding the dismounted division.
Lieutenant A. 11. FRENCH, Co. A.
July, 18G4. 419
probably have retreated during the night. As it was, he took courage,
and we had the battle of Harrisburg to fight the next day.
The next morning our colonel wrote to his wife, who
was then at Captain F"ie!d's, Okolona, Mississippi, as
follows
:
One o'clock a. m.,
July 14th, 1864.
ZoRAThe enemy moved from Pontotoc to Tupelo [HarrisburgJ
late yesterday evening. We had an engagement near Calhoun's, in
which my regiment was put in first, and for some time being unsup-
ported was badly injured and compelled to fall back, as did all the
other troops.
I lost thirty or more killed and wounded; six officers badly wounded.
Lieutenant French and Captain Eastes, I think, Avilldie in a few hours.
If the enemy retreats to-day, which is the supposition, of course,
we will pursue. Barteau.
Lieutenant A. H. French (Company A) was thought
to be mortally wounded, but he recovered. Captain M.
W. McKnight was again severely wounded while gal-
lantly leading his company (C) to the onset. W, E.
Rich (Company C) was severely wounded. Captain
W. T. Rickman and
James
Ryan (Company D) were
wounded. Captain
J.
M. Eastes (Company G) was
mortally wounded, dying the next day.*
James Drury
(Company G) was killed, M. F. M. Paschal (Company
G) ran through the Federal line, and in attempting to
return was captured. William Thompson (Company
G) was carried from the field, and died that night from
the effect of sunstroke. Lieutenant
J. J.
Lawrence
(Company G) did but little more service on account
of
an injury received here by sunstroke. Lieutenant F.
M. McRee (Company H) was knocked down by a shell
and so stunned that he was carried from the field to the
hospital.
*
See Appendix A.
Lieutenant George F. Hager (Company G) says :
It was this engagement in wliich one of thoe singular premonitions
of death occurred.
Private James Drury, a noble and brave soldier, always at his post,
and ever ready to face danger, told several of his friends that he ex-
pected to be killed in the next engagement, and gave directions to his
Captain (Eastes, Company G) for disposal of his horse and other lit'le
possessions, the proceeds to be returned to that faithful and loving
wife in her lonely home in Tennessee.
The writer urged upon him not to enter the fight, but to let one of
the boys who volunteered to do so take his place. In a calm and
resolute manner he replied, "No; and tell my wife I died for my
country." He fell with the first volley, in the front rank, and so did
his captain, to whom he intrusted the carrying out of his wishes.-''
I suppose that our colonel is about right in his esti-
mate of our loss, and I regfret that I am not able to g-ive
the names of all.
In his official report Colonel T. H. Bell (commanding
Fourth Brigade) says
:
The Second Tennessee (Colonel Barteau) being in advance, was
ordered by General Buford to form on a line parallel with the road
on which the enemy was moving. The Fifteenth (Colonel Russell),
just in rear of the Second Tennessee, was ordered to form on the left
of it, two companies of whicli were hardly formed before the firing
commenced.
Newsom's and Wilson's Regiments were ordered up as rapidly as
possible, but not in time to enable the advanced regiments to hold
their positions. No blame can certainly be attached to the men for
falling back, as they were completely overpowered and forced to
retire."!"
BATTLE OF HARRISBURG.
Tlnn^sday, ijf.th.
The Confederate force confronting
their adversary on that memorable morning scarcely ex-
*
Military Annais of Tennessee,
p.
6iS.
t
Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII,
p. 487.
July, 1804. 421
ceeded nine thousand officers and men.* The Federal
Army consisted of the Sixteenth Army Corps,f and fell
little short of thirteen thousand infantry, three thousand
cavalry and twenty-four pieces of artillery.
The position held by the enemy was a cross-road
hamlet of a few houses called Harrisburcr.+ scattered at
wide intervals over a somewhat commanding ridge. It
was well chosen for defense, and those strong, natural
advantages Major-General A.
].
Smith immediately set
his troops to improving, as far as practicable, during the
preceding night and that morning by breastworks made
of logs and rails and materials of cabins and outhouses
torn down for that purpose and covered with earth.
Their breastworks commanded all the approaches,
especially toward the west and south. A skirt of woods
south of the Tupelo road extended up to within two or
three hundred yards of the Federal works. At all other
points the ground of approach was open fields for a mile
or more. And thus, as may be seen, the advantages of
position were clearly and formidably with the Federals,
who, besides, had a decided numerical superiority. The
*Chalmers' Division: McCullocli's Britâde, 1,400; Ruckei's Brigade, 900.
Buford's Division: Bell's Brigade, 1,300; Crossland's Brigade,
900; Mabry's
Brigade, 1,000.
Roddy's Division: Patterson's Brigade,
700; Jolmson's Brigade, 800.
Lyon's Infantry Division: Beltzhoover's Battalion, 900: Gholson's (dis-
mounted) Brigatle, 600; Neely's (dismouiited) Brigade, 600. Total,
9,100.
Artillery: Morton's Battery,
4
guns ; Rice's Battery,
4
guns ; Wahon's Bat-
tery,
4
guns; Thrall's Battery,
4
guns: Ferrell's Battery,
4
guns. Total, 20 guns.
'[Subdivided as follows: First Division of Infantry, under Brigadier-General
Mower; Third Division, under Colonel Moore, and a brigade of negro infantry
under Colonel Benton, with Grierson's Division (four brigades) of Cavalry.
The above estimates are from
"
Forrest's Campaigns," page 506.
The cavalry being fought as infantry, one-fourth (or
1,750)
were detached as
horse holders and took no part, thus reducing the Confederate force to
7,350
less than half of the Federal army.

.jTvvo mile-; west of Tupelo.
Federal line, somewhat less than two miles from right
to left, rested, the left on the railroad south of Tupelo
and the rig-ht extended about half a mile northward of
Harrisburg. Their line was circular in form, convex to-
ward the southwest. By daylight a portion of Lyon's
dismounted division had come upon the scene, but
greatly exhausted by their long march under the hot sun
of the season.
The Second Tennessee, havino- been called from
picket duty, rejoined their brigade about sunrise, near
the spot where they had been engaged the evening be-
fore.
General Buford dismounted his division some two and
a half miles west of Harrisburg, and, after moving one
mile in column, he deployed his men in line across the
Tupelo-Pontotoc road on the left of Roddy's Division,
as follows
:*
Bell's Brigadef was formed in rear of Mabry's and on
the left of Crossland's. By
7
o'clock a. m., having seen
that the Federal commander gave no evidence of a pur-
pose to come forth from his stronghold and give battle,
James Hancock, an officer (perhaps Regimental Quartermaster) in Roddy's
Division, being present, heard the followingconversation bet'^veen Lee and For-
res!;, which he afterward reported to the writer:
General LeeLet Roddy's Division form on the left and Buford's on the
right.
General ForrestNo, I want Buford's Division on the left and Roddy's on
the right;
G. L. As Roddy is here, why not let him form on the left, and Buford can
fall in on the right as he comes up ?
G. F.No, I want Buford on the left.
G. L. Very well, have your own way then.
About the middle of the preceding night General Forrest, advancing with
one of his staff to within fifty yards of the Federal position, rode along and
reconnoitered their lines for nearly a mile.
tWith Russell's Regiment on the righ% Barteau's on the left, and Wilson's
and Newsom's in the center.
July, 1804. 423
General Lee felt obliged to take the offensive immedi-
ately, even though he were forced to attack him upon
ground of his own choosing. Accordingly, Forrest was
ordered to prepare the command for battle. Buford
and Roddy advanced about one mile further, and Mor-
ton's Battery began an active fire from a hill half a mile
from the Federal line, and for some moments a fruitless
effort was made in this way to provoke the F"ederal
commander to take the offensive.
The Confederate order of battle being somewhat mod-
ified now stood as follows : The extreme right was held
by Roddy's Division, leftward of which Crossland's
Brigade was next in line, with Rice's Battery. Bell's
Brigade, which was next on Crossland's left, was in an
open field north of the Tupelo-Pontotoc road, with
Mabry on his and the extreme left, and Morton's
Battery, under Lieutenant Sale, was attached to this
flank. Chalmer's Division and Lyon's Infantry Divis-
ion, with Thrall's and Ferrell's Batteries, constituted a
second line, or reserve, posted behind slight intrench-
ments of rails and logs across and perpendicular to the
highway above named.
Finding it impossible to entice the enemy from his
cover or to assume the offensive, General Lee gave
orders, about eight o'clock, for the simultaneous ad-
vance of his first line upon the Federal position. A ter-
rific cannonade now burst forth from the Federal oruns
as General Buford threw forward his division at a
double-quick. Notwithstanding Bell's Brigade were un-
protected, right gallantly did they breast the storm of
grape and canister as they pressed onward and onward
through that open field, somewhat up grade, toward the
Federal position. When the division reached a point
within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's
trenches the crash of small arms was added to the roar
of the cannons. Never had such an appalling fire of
musketry and artillery blazed and gushed in the face of
the Second Tennessee before, and notwithstandinof in
spite of the fact that their ranks had never been so fear-
fully thinned on any previous field, yet they had never
more coolly and deliberately faced the missiles of death
than on this memorable occasion. Not a man wavered
save some that peradventure fell by the way from sheer
exhaustion.* Colonel C. R. Barteauf was wounded
B; it rememliered tliat Buford's Dh'ision had marched two and a half miles
on foot, and a good portion of that distance at a doublequick, beneath a scorch-
ing July sun, and hence the men were very much fatigued before the baitle-
moment had come.
["His wound (in the wrist) was not dangerous, though it was very painful
and bled j^rofusely, on account of which, together with heat, thirst, and fatigue^
he was forced to quit the held. However, he was disabled only for a few days
by his wound, but sickness kept him from the regiment still longer.
Notwithstanding the din and roar of battle, I heard some one call my name..
Going a few paces rightward 1 found my brother, W. C. Hancock, with his right
leg shivered to pieces between the knee and ankle by a cannon ball. I now very
earnestly begged for help to convey him from the battlefield. After some mo-
ments France M. Willard (Company C) and another man whose name. I regret
to say, I did not learn, came to my assistance. [The writer is yet under many,
many o/'ligations to those two comrades for the help thus renilered.] As we !iad
to carry him in our arms for some distance we could not go far at a time before
we would have to stop and rest. However, we had to take short rests, as it was
about the time that our division commenced falling back. Using a cord from a
hat we stopped the bleeding as best we coukl. After carrying my brother as
above stated for a few hundred yards, and then on horseback for a short dis-
tance, we finally came up with an ambulance (about three-fourths of a mile from
the enemy's position) in which he was soon conveyed to the hospital, some one
mile and a half west of the battlefield, under some beautiful shade trees in a
yard on the Tupelo-Pontotoe road. Here we found that Buford's sui-geins were
already very busily engaged amputating arms and legs, as well as dressing other
wounds. The amputated limbs that lay in heaps over that yard spoke some-
thing of the evils and horrors of war. As soon as we had an opportunity we
laid my brother upon a table to have his leg amputated. After cording his leg
better and giving him some stimulants, one of the doctors remarked that he
was too much fatigued to stand an amputation just then. So we removed hun
Private W. C. HANCOCK, Co. C.
(Killed July t4th, 1864.)
RARY
July, 1804. 425
within twenty yards of the Federal works while gallantly
leading his regiment to the onset.
In speaking of Buford's attack on this occasion the
writer of
"
Forrest's Campaigns
"
has this to say :
As stoutly 0.S ever brave men affronted death did these brigades
fa'-e the terrific torrent of fire thus let loose upon their thin, exposed
ranks, and no battlefield was ever illustrated by more general and
shining courage than was displayed in this onset. Urged and led by
their officers with conspicuous gallantry, the men were pressed up close
to the coveted position.
The Confederate order of battle, however, had not
been made to conform in outline to that of the enemy,
and Buford moving on the Federal center struck it
before Roddy had come in collision with the enemy in
his quarter of the field. Consequently, not only was a
heavy force of infantry massed to meet Buford's attack
from the table to a blanket spread upon the ground in the shade of a tree.
Perhaps he had not been lying on that blanket over furty-five minutes when he
fainted, as I thought. I called the attention of a doctor, who, on feeling his-
]:)ulsc, remarked, ",He is dead." Those words were "like a clap of thunder in
a clear sky'' to me. I had no thought of his dying thus suddenly; in fact, I
thought that he would get well. The very great fatigue and loss of blood added
to the suffering from the wound was more than he could bear. I know of no
language by which to express what I felt while kneeling by the side
of
a dying-
brother. He was not only the youngest of three brothers, but also the young-
est of the family. He was just in the bloom of youth. Having entered the
service at eighteen, lie was now twenty-one.
Having learned that Buford's Division had remounted and was moving off,
and thinking that perhaps the enemy would get possession of the hospital before
we would have time to bury the remains of brother Will, we wrapped a blanket
around him, laid him in an out-house in one corner of the yard, requested a cit-
izen to see that he was buried if we did net have an opportunity to bury him
ourselves, and then rejoined our command. About 8:30 v. M.
J.
R. Dougherty
(Company C) and I returning to the hospital, remained there the rest of the
night. Next morning we buried the remains of my brother hastily, without any
coffin, in a garden adjoining the yard in which he died. We rejoined our regi-
ment between sunset and dark, just after the engagement at Town Creek. We
met General Forrest as he was going from the field wounded. After the enemy
had fallen back and all was quiet again I had my brother's remains taken up-
and buried more decently in a cofifin, on the 17th.
42G Iv. E. Hancock's Diary.
with a scorching fire of small arms, but almost their
whole artillery was concentrated upon Bell's Tennes-
seans, Mabry's Mississippians, and Crossland's Ken-
tuckians. The latter brigade was the first engaged,
and, being uncovered on its right, was exposed to an
oblique or enfilading fire, under which it staggered, and
finally gave vvây, but not until some of the intrepid
Kentuckians had penetrated the Federal intrenchments
where they were either .killed or captured. General
Buford now saw that the enemy had too greatly the
advantage, both in numbers and position, for him to
make any further attempt to carry their works by storm
;
and, moreover, seeing that his men were being mowed
down at a fearful rate, he, therefore, very prudently
commenced the withdrawal of his division. Rice's Bat-
tery moved forward with the Kentuckians, and kept
well in advance with them was handled with signal
daring and skill. And when the stress of the F"ederal
fire was greatest. Thrall's Battery was thrown forward
to close quarters in support of Rice. These two bat-
teries, served with equal spirit and efficiency, rendered
invaluable aid in covering the withdrawal of Buford's
Division from under fire. Morton's Battery, which, as
will be remembered, had moved forward with the left
flank, suffered severely. Five out of the seven gun-
ners, and six out of the eight horses of one piece were
disabled, and its commander, Seroreant Brown, three
times wounded ; nevertheless, he remained with his gun
until it was carried safely to the rear by hand by Cap-
tain Titus' company of sharp-shooters. Another piece
was brought off by Sergeant C. T. Brady, after a wheel
had been shot from it. The remaining pieces were re-
tired slowly, halting and firing with the utmost resolu-
July, 18G4. 427
tion and effect, and thus materially assisted in covering
the retreat in that quarter of the field.
General Chalmers, in the meantime, had been ordered
to throw forward Rucker's Brigade as a support to
Mabry, leaving McCulloch to support the center, and
cover the retreat in the event of disaster. It was in
an opportune moment, too, that Chalmers came to the
assistance of Buford; for about this juncture the Fed-
eral commander threw forward his cavalry, to swoop
clown upon the shattered remains of Buford's Division.
However, a volley from the steady rifles of Rucker's
menwho had taken a position under cover of a fence
not only checked the Federal cavalry, but sent them
reeling rearward. Now leaping over the fence, and
moving forward at a double-quick, wîth a loud shout,
Rucker's men struggled onward and onward with re-
splendent courage for some moments. Twice wounded
Rucker had to leave the field after leading his men to
within sixty yards of the Federal trenches
;
and many
of his bravest officers and men were added to the num-
ber of dead and wounded that lay on the field already,
belonorino- to the brigades of Buford's Division which
had preceded in the onset. At least a third of Ruck-
er's Brigade were stricken down, either by the enemy,
or by the heat, and the attack was repulsed.
Chalmers now withdrew Rucker's Brigade to the
position held by McCulloch
;
and Buford, not being-
troubled any further by the enemy, after the cavalry
charge mentioned above, withdrew his division to their
horses in the rear of McCulloch.
During this time General Forrest had been on the
right flank with Roddy's Division, which, when Cross-
land's Brigade was repulsed, was moved rapidly by the
left flank to the position occupied by that brigade at the
commencement of the action, and where the division
was held to meet any counter or offensive movement of
the enemy.
The Confederate attack had now failed at all points,.
as might have been foreseen,* and no further attempt
to carry the Federal works by storm was made. Gen-
eral Roddy's Division was also ordered to retire from
the held to a position in rear of McCulloch. About
noon, or a little after. Bell's Brigade moved back two or
three miles to the wagon train to get forage and rations.
General Lee now decided to await the movements of
his adversary.f But General Smith appears to have
been satisfied with being able to foil the attack of his
daring assailants, and adventured no offensive move-
ment at all. Therefore, McCulloch's Brigade remained
unmolested in its advance position until about half-past
six o'clock p. M., when it was noticed that the enemy
were burning Harrisburg. General Chalmers was then
directed to reconnoiter as closely as possible with that
brigade, the First Mississippi Infantry, and a piece oi
artillery. Some Federal skirmishers, soon encountered,
were driven back by McCulloch far enough for him to
ascertain that the main Federal force still remained in
position at Harrisburg, and the reconnoissance was con-
cluded. About this time, or at sunset, taking Rucker's
Brigade, under Colonel Duckworth, General Forrest let
it around the Federal left flank, on the road to Verona,
some two miles southward of Tupelo, where he soon
found himself in the presence of the Federal pickets,
who opened a scattering fire. Dismounting the brigade,
*And was foreseen by Buford. See ComnieiUaries under July
i6th.
fWhat lie should have done at first.
Lieutenant GEO. E. SEAV.
July, 1804. 429
and taking post across the road, Duckworth threw one-
tenth of the brigade promptly forward, and the Federal
skirmishers were brushed back upon their main force.
This was presently followed by the advance of the whole
brigade, and a sharp skirmish with the enemy, who
receded slowl)' for three-fourths of a mile, until about
nine r. u., when the Confederates encountered a stormy
fire from a heavy force drawn up to receive them. This
checked the movement, and in turn the Federals essayed
the offensive ; but their onset was speedily brought to
a halt by a well-directed fire from Duff's Regiment. Of
this affair, in his official report. General Forrest says
:
I ordered my men lo open fire upon him [the enemy], when the
first line fell back to the main body and opened upon me one of the
heaviest fires I have heard daring the war. . . . Not a man was
killed, however, as the enemy overshot us, but he is reported as hav-
ing suffered much from the fire of my men, and still more from their
own, who fired into each other in the darkness of the night.*
Directino- a small force to be left well in advance, to
watch that road, Forrest withdrew the brigrade for the
night to a position three miles south of Tupelo, where
it bivouacked. About dark our brigade (Bell's) was
ordered to the front. However, after going about one
mile and a half, the order vvâs countermanded, and we
returned to, and bivouacked with, our wagon train.
The gallant Lieutenant George E. Seay (Company
E) is now in command of our regiment, all of his supe-
riors present having been killed or wôunded during the
engagements of last evening and to-day.
In reference to this enpaofement, Lieutenant G. F.
Flager says
:
Nothing could exceed the scathing fire we breasted at and near the
works. Never was more shining courage displayed by both officers
and men than here.
-Rebellion Records, Vol. XXVIII,
p. 463.
430 I'. R. Hancock's Diary.
It was here we lost our gallant Lieutenant Lipscomb [Company G]
and our heroic Lieutenant Denning [Company
FJ,
killed on or inside
the works. Colonel Barteau was also again wounded while endeavor-
ing to lead our already shattered regiment into the enemy's strong-
hold.
Our loss was extremely heavy. We went into the engagement fully
officered (save the losses we had sustained from tlie enemy before)
and at the close, or rather after the first assault on the works, Lieuten-
ant George E. Seay [Company E] found himself in command of the
regiment, his superiors having been killed, wounded, or disabled.
-i^
I do not know the exact loss of our regiment in this
action, though, as Lieutenant Hager says, it was "ex-
tremely heavy."
One hundred and eighty of the Second Tennessee moved into
action under Colonel Barteau, and sixty-two, by actual count, came out
under Lieutenant G. E. Seay, and they looked like they were marching
to a funeral.^
Remember, it took quite a number of the unhurt to
bring off the wounded ; the dead, and perhaps some of
the wounded, were left on the field.
Except my brother and the two previously mentioned
by Lieutenant Hager, the following list contains the
names of all the killed and wounded (Second Tennessee)
which I now have before me :
Company B
James Orum (mortally) and N. N. Pol-

lard (severely) wounded.
Company CO. N. Grisham (from Franklin County,
Alabama), killed; and Lieutenants S. Dennis and
J.
S.
Harrison, and privates A.
J.
Thomas, Mat. Francis,
Mike Larance,
J. J.
Francis, John
H. Odom, James H,
Odom, and
J.
W. Herndon, wounded.
Company DWilliam Brown (mortally), wounded,
and Eli Locket, captured.
'Military Annals of Tennessee, page 6i8.
t
Verbal report of Dr.
J.
W. Harrison.
July, 1804. 431
Company ECaptain W. A. DeBow and private
William Stalcup, wounded.
Company FWilliam Bond, wounded.
Company GW. Clabe West, severely wounded.
Company KCaptain O. B. Farris, wounded.
Friday, i^tJi. Apprehensive that the Federal com-
mander, emboldened by the results of yesterday's suc-
cess, would now attempt to press forward into the
prairie country to the southward, to lay waste the grow-
ing crops of that fertile region. General Lee resolved to
interpose every possible obstacle, and accordingly, before
sunrise, the whole Confederate force was concentrated
across the anticipated route of march, and drawn up in
line of battle, fronting the north, directly across the
Tupelo-Verona road, about three miles from the former
place. There being, however, no indication of any
offensive movement on the part of the enemy, Buford
was thrown forward (dismounted) on the Confederate
ricrht, with our brig-ade and Crossland's, to feel the Fed-
erals in that direction, and comino- in contact with their
pickets bore them back for quite a mile upon the left
flank of their main force, in some timber, where he
halted, and throwing out skirmishers to cover his own
position stood on the defensive. Meanwhile, so intense
was the heat that as many as eighty officers and men
were carried from the field exhausted, and some of them
insensible, from the effects of the sun.
This was the posture of affairs at eleven a. m., when
the authentic and pleasing intelligence was received
that the enemy were in full retreat. Chalmers was im-
mediately ordered to move forward rapidly with McCul-
loch's Brigade (mounted) to ascertain their line of retreat
and apparent purposes. Overtaking their rear guard,
432 r;. Vx. Ha-VCOCk's Diaky.
some skirmishing ensued for an hour, during which a
moving cloud ot dust was visible along the Tupelo-
Elllstown road, marking manifestly the line of march of
a large force.
In the meantime, Buford had remounted his division
and moved it forward to the highway a little east of
Harrisburg, while Lee had moved up to that place with
the rest of the Confederate force, and Forrest, with his
staff and escort, had gone immediately to Tupelo, some
of the few houses of which were found in ashes, the
others filled with wounded, including two hundred and
fifty Federals, too severely hurt to be removed, and few
of whose wounds had been dressed. In consequence
of this neglect, many of the wôunds, both of the Con-
federates and Federals, found at Tupelo were fiy-blown
and already in a maggoted condition, from which the
men suffered fearfully.
While Chalmers was directed to press on with Mc-
Culloch's Brigade, and attempt to get on the Federal
leff flank, westward of the Ellistown road, Buford, about
two P. M., was ordered to move upon their rear with his
division, now dwindled down, howbeit, to not more than
one thousand effectives. Following vigorously, and mov-
inpf at the head of his column with a section of Rice's
guns, just as Buford approached Town Creek, four miles
beyond Tupelo, a warm volley was suddenly poured
into the head of his column from a heavy ambuscade
in a cornfield, while his own force was moving along a
narrow road through a dense black-jack thicket. Dis-
mounting and deploying his men into line as quickly as
possible, he moved forward,* driving the first line of
*With Bell's Brigade on the right and the Second Tennessee on the extreme
right.
July, 1864. 433
Federals before him; when, on nearing Town Creek
bottom, the enemy, in overwhelming numbers, spring-
ing from the cover of the bushes with a yell drove our
division back for some distance in confusion, and with
considerable loss. Here fell the gallant Lieutenant Ed.
Bullock mortally wounded, and
John Lee killedboth
of Company D, Second Tennessee. The road was
blocked up at the same time with led horses and artil-
lery, and for a short while, had the enemy pressed their
advantage with vigor, the situation was critically peril-
ous. McCulloch's Brigade, having been pressed up at
a gallop, was dismounted and thrown into action on the
left of Buford's Division. That veteran force, makino-
a characteristic charge, pushed the enemy back in its
front. This was not done, however, without consider-
able loss, and Forrest, who rode with it in the onset,
was painfully wounded in the right foot, and its gallant
leader, Colonel McCulloch, was struck in the shoulder.
Buford was materially assisted by McCulloch's move-
ment in saving his horses and artillery. Forrest's
wound was now so painful that he was obliged to quit
the field and repair to Tupelo to have his wound dressed,
Chalmers, who was left in command, retired safely, just
about nightfall, beyond the reach of the enemy, who,
fortunately, was not disposed to follow up his advantage
with any energy. McCulloch's Brigade bivouacked in
observation for the night within half a mile of the cross-
ing of Town Creek ; while Buford's Division moved
about one mile and a half southward, to a small creek,
and the rest of the Confederate force slept in the vicin-
ity of Tupelo.
Satui'day, i6ih.\s the horses and men were nearly
all broken down by this time. General Lee very prop-
28
erly decided not to follow the enemy any further in
force. However, Chalmers was directed to pursue with
Roddy's Division and Rucker's Brigade. After some
little skirmishing, he turned back the next day, a few
miles beyond EUistown, leaving some two hundred and
fifty men to follow in observation. The Federals re-
treated rapidly in the direction of Memphis, by the way
of New Albany and Holly Springs.
Our division was now busily engaged in burying the
dead and looking after the wounded. A good many of
the latter, including the Federal, were sent by rail to
Forrest's Hospital at Lauderdale Springs, near Merid-
ian, Mississippi.
According to the official report,* the Second Tennes-
see lost during the last three days' fighting two officers,
and six enlisted men killed, and fifteen officers and for-
ty-three enlisted men woundedaggregate, sixty-six.
I know that the aggregate loss of Company C was
thirteen, which if taken from sixty-six leaves fifty-three,
which lacks one man of being an average of six to each
of the other nine companies. Therefore, the above
either falls short of our actual loss, or the loss of Com-
pany C was more than dotible the average loss of the
other nine companies. The writer is of the opinion
that our aggregate loss did not fall much (if any) short
of one hundred.
COMMENTARIES.
I. Our division, including Mabry's Brigade, lost
twenty-two officers killed and one hundred and four
wounded ; one hundred and thirty-one enlisted men
were killed, six hundred and ninety-four wounded, and
forty-nine missing ; total, one thousand. Our brigade
*"
See Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, page
475. ,
July, 18G4. 435
lost forty-seven killed and three hundred and fifty-five
wounded ;
First Division lost fifty-seven killed and two
hundred and fifty-five wounded. General Forrest esti-
mates the Federal loss to be equal to his own, which he
puts at two hundred and ten killed, and one thousand
one hundred and sixteen wounded, while General Bu-
ford puts the enemy's loss at two thousand.
2. It is said that the following conversation took place
between Generals Forrest and Buford just after the un-
fortunate affair at Town Creek last evening
:
General ForrestGeneral Buford, move your division.
General BufordI have no division, General Forrest.
G. F. Where is your division?
G. B.[The tears trickled down the cheeks of that noble soldier
as he replied] They are killed and wounded.
Well may our gallant leader weep when 07ie thousand
of his bravest and best officers and men have been killed
or wounded. He is not the only one who weeps over
the results of the last three days' fighting. Perhaps
there are but few of our division who are not called
upon to mourn the loss of some relative or dear friend.
3.
Be it said to the honor of General Buford that,,
knowing as he did that the enemy had greatly the ad-
vantage in both position and numbers, and therefore
fully believingalmost knowingthat an attempt to
carry the Federal works by storm, as he was ordered to
do on the 14th, would result in a repulse and fearful
loss, he therefore p7'otested i?i person against makiiig the
attack in that zvay* However, as his superior would
not revoke the order, he therefore, like a true and obe-
dient soldier, led his division to the onset, which re-
*
Manuscript notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau ; also, Buford's official report.
See Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, page 471.
suited as he had foreseen, and as has been previously
mentioned. Was either Buford or the men he led to
blame for failing to carry the Federal position on the
14th? If I were allowed to answer the above question
I should say, emphatically, neither. (Men cannot ac-
complish impossibilities,) However, I shall let the
writer of "Forrest's Campaigns"
(p. 519)
answer the
above question thus
:
It must be regarded as an error on the part of the Confederate
General to deliver battle at Harrisburg upon a field chosen by his ad-
A'ersary, and, as we have seen, peculiarly favorable for that adversary.
Furthermore, victory, under all the circumstances, never within the
scope of reasonable probabilities for the Confederates, was made even
less possible by the adoption of the parallel order of battle rather than
the oblique, and the massing of the Confederates upon either win;^,
and subsequently also by throwing the troops into battle by fragments,
so that brigades were worsted, sadly cut to pieces in detail.
General Lee should have thrown his force across the
highways leading southwardselecting favorable posi-
tions and throwing up temporary breastworks and thus
stood on the defensive, from the fact (which he well
knew) that his adversary was compelled to either take
the offensive or retreat, as there was nothiiig in the
vicinity of Tupelo upon which his army could subsist.
4.
The Federal commander assuredly displayed much watchful-
ness in his movements, but the least ]iossible vigor or enterprise. . . .
Had he pressed the advantage gained on the afternoon of the i4tl'. uf
July
with resolution and with his whole force as the Confederates fell
back repulsed and badly cut up, as he could plainly see, the conse-
quences for the Confederates must have been ruinous. . . . And
when he began the retrogade, as is alleged, for want of subsistence
and
ammunition, it was made with all celerity and other appearances
of a retreat; for leaving one division under Brigadier-General Mower
to
cover his rear by making a stand at the extremely favorable position
of
Town Creek, he pushed his train on toward Memphis with all haste,
escorted by the remainder of his force. Indeed, in view of General
July, 18G4. 437
Smith's mere military movements, it is difficult to comprehend with
what objective the campaign was undertaken.-'^
5.
In his official report Colonel T. H. Bell (command-
ing Fourth Brigade) says :
Colonels Barteau, Russell, Wilson, Newsom, and Major Parham
were all wounded. Special praise is due them for their conduct in the
several engagements. .........
My acting aid-de-camp (R. P. Caldwell), acting Assistant Inspector-
General (P. A. Smith), . . . were prompt in carrying orders
to the different portions of my brigade, and were with me, except
when ordered off on duty, in the hottest of the fights, and discharged
their duties Avell.t
The following are extracts from General Abraham
Buford's official report
:
The record of this action shows that the Second Division performed
with alacrity and spirit every duty required of them, whether in attack-
ing the enemy in front, on the flank, or on the pursuit, and few troops
have ever borne themselves on a field with more distinguished cour-
age, with more patient endurance, or with the loss of so many field
officersthere being seven regiments which were deprived of every
field officer by the casualties of action. .....
Words are inadequate to express the daring action, imperturbable
bravery, the indomitable endurance exhibited by both officers and
men. ............
To the privates no flattering words can add to their deeds. If we
desire to look for deeds of noble daring and worthy of imitation we
must go to the ranks. .........
The long list of dead and wounded echo the history of their
action.
I
6. I find the following
"General Order No.

96"
in my old diary, under

July
29th; however, as it has
direct reference to the battle of Harrisburg I shall intro-
duce it just here :
'"Forrest's Campaigns," page 518.
t
Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, page 489.
X
Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII,
pp. 473, 474.
438
11. R. Hancock's Diary.
Headquarters Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and
East Louisiana. Meridian, Miss., Jul}^
20th, 1864.
The Lieutenant-General expresses his thanks to the officers and sol-
diers engaged in the recent active operations in North Mississippi for
'their cheerfiUness, gallantry, and endurance. All did their duty and
are entitled to praise.
The result is that a well-equipped army of sixteen thousand veteran
troops, under the command of a general of experience, carefully
organized to overwhelm the gallant Forrest and desolate the State of
Mississippi, has been discomfitled and compelled to retreat before your
impetuous attack, well knowing the futility of an advance in the face
of so gallant and determined a foe.
Though all performed their duty well, the General nevertheless
thkiks special praise should be given to the Kentucky Brigade and
Bell's Tennessee Brigade of Buford's Division, Rucker's Brigade of
Chalmers'
Division, Mabry's Mississippi Brigade, and the artillery
under Captain John
W. Morton.
To the desperate gallantry of these troops on the 14th and their
tenacity under a galling fire is to be attributed the discomfiture of the
enemy more than any other cause.
Many of your comrades have sunk to honorable graves sacrifices
to our sacred cause. Peace be with them I To you, their former
companions, they have left the legacy of their brave deeds, which must
ever command your admiration and that of the army, and gratitude of
the country.
Stephen D. Lee,
Official: P. Ellis,
Jr.,
Lieutenant- General.
A. A. General.
Monday, i8th.Having completed the burial of the
dead, gleaned from all the battlefields, Lkiford's Division,
moving eighteen miles southward, camped for the night
three miles south-east of Shannon Station. The in-
fantry have been dispatched by rail to Mobile.
General Lee left Tupelo yesterday by rail to repair
elsewhere within the limits of his command where his
presence was required.
About this time privates George F. Hager and Gil-
bert Siddons were made Lieutenants in Company G,
Second Tennessee.
July, 1864. 439
Tuesday, igth.Moving on through Okolona, thence
nine miles south, our division encamped at Pikeville
(near Egypt Station), where we remained eight days.
Brigadier-General Chalmers, who has been in com-
mand since Forrest was wounded, has established his
headquarters at Okolona. His division is encamped in
the vicinity of Oakland Church, eight miles west of
Egypt Station.
Gholson's Brigfade, relieved on the 20th from further
service with Forrest, was ordered to return to their
horses at Jackson, Mississippi.
The following changes of department commanders
took place about this time
:
General Joseph E. Johnston (a second Hannibal), who
had been commandinof the Confederate Armv at At-
lanta, Georgia, was superseded by General
J.
B. Hood
(a second Varro). S. D. Lee, from our department,
took command of Hood's Corps; Major-General Maury
succeeded to the command of our department, leaving
General Gardner in command at Mobile, x^labama.
Thursday, 28tJi.Our division moved back to where
we camped on the night of the i8th, three miles south-
east of Shannon Station.
Roddy, detached with his division, proceeded by rail
to Montgomery to meet a hostile expedition menacing
the interior of Alabama, while his horses and wagon
train were sent across the country to the same point
;
and Mabry's Brigade, likewise detached to-day, started
(mounted) for Canton, Mississippi, to assist in repelling
a Federal movement from the southward.
Friday, zgtJi. The Second Tennessee, being de-
tached, moved up to Verona and encamped one mile
north-west of that place. We were kept busy here for
440 E. R. Haivcouk's Diary.
several days guarding some negroes who were at work
on the raih-oad between Verona and Tupelo, where the
Federals had torn it up about two weeks previous.
In a letter addressed to General Maury, the Depart-
ment Commander, under date ot Augrust ist, General
Chalmers says
:
Our scouts report that the enemy is makuig preparations to move
from Memphis, Vicksburg, and North Alabama at the same time^
and if successful to concentrate at Selma.
There are now fourteen thousand infantry and cavalry assembled
at LaGrange, and they are reported repairing the Mississippi Central
Railroad. Three regiments of infantry and two of cavalry are re-
ported moving from Decatur to Moulton, Alabama. . . . Some
troops, number unknown, have been sent down the river toward
Vicksburg. If the enemy moves in three columns as expected, it
will be impossible for us to meet him ; and after consultation Major-
General Forrest and I have concluded to recommend a consolidation
of the troops in this department to meet one column.
The northern column will be the largest; if we can defeat it the
others may be easily overtaken and crushed.
Our effective force is five thousand three liundred and
fifty-seven, but we are very much crippled in officers.*
On the 3d General Forrest resumed command, and
Chalmers set out with his staff, escort, and Thrall's Bat-
tery, to repair with McCulloch's Brigade to Oxford.
On the 4th Neely's Brigade was thrown forward to Pon-
totoc, On the 5th Forrest wrote to General Maury
thus
:
*
I regret very much that recent engagements in North Mississippi
(Tishamingo and Harrisburg) have reduced my command so much in
numbers. But especially am I deficient in field officers and brigade
commanders. General Lyon having left the department,"]" Colonels
McCulloch and Rucker wounded, leaves me, aside from Colonel Bell,
without experienced brigade commanders, and in Bell's Brigade the
"Forrest's Campaigns,"
pp. 522, 525.
t Colonel Crossland succeeded to llie conmiaud of the Kentucky Brigade.
August, 1864. 441
greater number of field officers are killed or wounded. Nevertheless,.
all that can shall be done in North Mississippi to drive the enemy back.
At the same time I have not the force to risk a general engagement,
and will resort to all other means in my power to harrass, annoy, and
force the enemy back. I have ordered the impressment of negroes-
for the purpose of fortifying positions, blockading roads and fords,
and shall strike him in flank and rear, and oppose him in front to the
best of my ability, and fight him at all favorable positions along his-
Ime of march. . .........
My artillery in all numbers si.xteen pieces, and my effec-
tive force as formerly reported, with Mabry added. You may rest
assured. General, of my hearty co-operation in all things and at all
times. 1 can take the saddle with one foot in the stirrup, and if I
succeed in forcing this column back, will be ready to move to your
assistance at short notice, mounted or by rail.
Satiu'day, August 6th.According to orders our regi-
ment, breaking up our camp at Verona, rejoined the
brigade near Shannon Station.
Sunday, yth.
By
this time the Federals, who were
still under General A.
J.
Smith, had advanced from La-
Grange to the vicinity of Waterford, with outposts and
heavy picket force thrown forward to the north bank of
the Tallahatchie. Having repaired the Mississippi Cen-
tral Railroad as far as Waterford (eight miles south of
Holly Springs), they were running trains to that point.
The route, or direction, of the march of the Federal
column being now somewhat developed. General For-
rest decided to move the rest of his command westward.
Accordingly, Buford's Division and the artillery moved
from Shannon to Pontotoc, twenty-two miles.
Tuesday, gth.General Chalmers had only McCul-
loch's Brigade and a section of artillery to guard and
hold a line of some six or eight miles along the south
bank of the Tallahatchie in front of Abbeville. Neely's
Brigade and a battery left Pontotoc this morning to join
Chalmers.
Leaving Pontotoc about five ,p. m., Bell's Brigade and
Morton's Battery marched some twelve miles westward
and camped for the rest of the night at Buttermilk
Springs. General Buford was left at Pontotoc with
Crossland's Brigade and a battery to guard against any
flank movement in that direction.
Wednesday, loth.Moving out early we overtook
Neely's Brigade at LaFayette Springs, in LaFayette
County, some seventeen miles east of Oxford. Here
we halted and fed.
General Hatch, having crossed the Tallahatchie with
about six thousand Federal cavalry, pressed General
Chalmers back from Abbeville to Oxford and took pos-
session of the latter place about five p. m. yesterday.
Leaving the Second Missouri two miles south of Oxford
Chalmers led the rest of his command to Taylor's Sta-
tion, seven miles further south.
Swinging ourselves into the saddle again, after a short
rest, we resumed the march, with General Forrest at
the head of the column. By a forced march, we suc-
ceeded in reaching Oxford by ten o'clock p. m. The
place, however, had been evacuated (just before we got
there) by the Federal cavalry, whose commander, evi-
dently having no stomach for a rencounter with the re-
doubtable Confederate cavalry leader, rapidly retreated
back to Abbeville upon hearing of Forrest's approach,
and our horses were fed on the forage that had been dis-
tributed to those of our adversary.
Thursday, nth.When many of the citizens of Ox-
ford went to sleep last night the town was full of Fed-
eral soldiers, but to their joy and astonishment this
morning they found the pavements and public square
covered with "gray coats," still holding their jaded
August, 1804. 443
horses by the reins as they slept soundly after their
lonof ride.
Moving some eic^ht miles northward along the Missis-
sippi Central railroad our brigade took a position along
the south bank of Hurricane Creek, within five miles of
Abbeville, with Neely's Brigade on our right. Here we
built a line of breastworks of rails and logs, behind which
we remained during the rest of the day and that night
unmolested by the enemy. Meanwhile, Chalmers, who
had been reinforced by Mabry's brigade, moved back to
Oxford.
Friday, 12th. McCulloch's Brigade moved up and
took a position on the right of Neely's, while Mabry's
Brigade was thrown out on the road leading to Wyatt.
some two miles leftward of our brigade.
Between one and two v. m. the enemy made their ap-
pearance on the opposite side of the creek. After a
slight skirmish with small arms our artillery opened,
which caused the Federals to beat a hasty retreat. Four
or five Confederates were wounded in this little affair.
Saturday, 13th.A squad of our men went out on a
scout and captured about twenty-five Federals near
Abbeville.
About three p. m. the enemy again made their appear-
ance, this time in heavy force. Their artillery opened
from a position on the north side of the creek, being im-
mediately replied to by our guns. Mabry's Brigade,
being overmatched, was pressed back, thus leaving the
left of our brigade uncovered. Only the extreme left
of our brigade had come in contact with the enemy,
when the whole Confederate line fell back without being
pressed to another position about two miles rearward.
By this time it was dark, and we were not molested any
more by the enemy that night. Our brigade fell back
to Oxford, and went into camp about ten p. m.
Sunday,
ijf.th. A scout was sent back to Hurricane
Creek early in the morning, but found no enemy. Late
in the evening the Second Tennessee went out to said
creek on picket.
Monday, i^th. We could occasionally see the Fed-
eral pickets on the north side of the creek. Shots were
exchanged every now and then through the day. On
being relieved late in the afternoon we returned to camp
at Oxford. We now had the pleasure of a three days'
rest before starting on
THE MEMPHIS EXPEDITION.
TJnn-sday, iStJi. From reports of scouts, it now be-
came evident that, having rebuilt the railroad to Abbe-
ville, collected supplies of subsistence and forage and
laid a pontoon bridge across the Tallahatchie, the Fed-
eral commander designed to concentrate his whole force
at Abbeville with the view to serious offensive move-
ments beyond. Knowing his inability to contend suc-
cessfully with the force of his opponent, Forrest rapidly
reviewed the situation and happily resolved upon a
counter movement. That is to say, he determined to
lead, by forced marches, a picked detachment of his
command and threaten, if not capture, the city of Mem-
phis, with the effect, as he hoped, of forcing General
Smith to return to the relief of that place. Therefore,
the necessary orders for the expedition were immedi-
ately issued, and detachments of Bell's and Neely's
Brigades and Morton's Battery were directed to be got
ready to move that afternoon. After their ranks had
been carefully culled of those whose horses, on inspec-
tion, did not promise ability for the forced marches be-
August, 1864. 44;
fore them, the detachments selected for the expedition
constituted a force of about 1,500
officers and men and
four ofuns.
Buford was now ordered to repair with the Kentucky-
Brigade to Oxford. Our Colonel and Lieutenant-Col-
onel being absent, wounded, Captain W. A. DeBow
commanded our regiment during the Memphis expedi-
tion.*
About five r. m., General Forrest, with the above
named force, went forth in the midst of a heavy, pelting
rain, which had been falling without intermission all day.
as, indeed, for much of the time during several previous
days, in consequence of which the streams were all brim-
full. After a march of about twenty- five miles westward
throucrh rain and mud and dense darkness, swimminir
many streams, we halted about two hours before day
-and allowed our jaded horses to rest until daylight.
Not much sleep for us, as it was still raining.
Fidday, igtJi. In the saddle again by daybreak, the
'command reached Panola about seven o'clock a. m.
Here we halted, fed, and drew rations. The artillery
horses were now found to be so tagged as to make it
imprudent to take more than two guns beyond that
point. Accordingly, a selection being made of the
most serviceable horses, all unfit were sent rearward to
Grenada. One hundred men were also left with their
horses, who were found unable to endure the fatigue
of the expedition. Resuming the march about ten a.
M., over roads knee-deep in mud and water, by the time
the command reached Senatobia, twenty-three miles
north of Panola, Forrest saw that our horses were so
fagged that it was prudent to go no further that day.
'Qur Colonel, C. R. Barteau, reported for duty two days after we started to
Memphis.
Saturday, 20th.Learning, before leaving Senatobia,
that it would be necessary to bridge Hickahala Creek,
a deep stream, running sixty feet broad, with full banks,
General Forrest spread detachments over the interme-
diate country to collect the lumber from cotton-gin-house
floors, and carry it on their shoulders to the crossing,
about four miles north of Senatobia. Out of the abun-
dant, luxuriant grape-vines of the country a strong,
twisted cable was made
;
this, quickly stretched across
the stream, was firmly fastened to a tree on either bank.
At the same time some dry cedar telegraph-poles were
cut down and tied together, with grape-vines also, into
large, but comparatively light, rafts, and rolled into the
creek to serve as pontoons. Floated into position, two
of these were attached to the cable, likewise with grape-
vines, and a small flatboat (about twenty feet long) was
placed and fastened intermediately in the same manner
as a central pontoon. Other telegraph-poles were then
laid across the pontoons, and over these the flooring was
spread, and a pontoon bridge was thus constructed ii\
little more than one hour. The command began the
crossing at once, in columns of two, the men leading
their horses, and the artillery, unlimbered, was safely
carried over by hand.
Cold Water River, some seven miles beyond, was also
found beyond fording, with only a small ferryboat, capa-
ble of transporting four horses at a time ; and here,
again, a bridge was absolutely requisite, and one, too,
double the length of that at Hickahala. Another grape-
vine cable was quickly prepared, and, happily, some dry
cypress logs were found at hand, with which pontoon
rafts were m.ade and disposed as at Hickahala, while the
ferryboat constituted the midway pontoon. Telegraph-
August, 1864. 447
poles furnished the necessary material, and neighboring
lujin-houses the requisite flooring. In less than three
hours, the second bridge being ready for service, the
command began the passage, which, as before, was
effected without casualty. Our regiment being in the
rear, crossed a little before sunset, and by a little after
nightfall we closed up the rear at Hernando, ten miles
beyond Cold Water River, and within twenty-five miles
of Memphis.
Forrest was here met by some of his scouts, who had
left Memphis that day with accurate information touch-
ing the^ position and strength of the enemy's troops in
and around the city, where all was quiet, and without
the least expectation of the danger impending. Halt-
ing at Hernando but a few moments, we now took the
direct road to Memphis.
ACTION AT MEMPHIS.
Sunday, 2ist.In spite of the mud, fog, darkness, and
the great fatigue of our horses. General Forrest drew
rein about three o'clock this morning at Cane Creek,
only four miles from Memphis. By this time he was
well informed in regard to the numbers and positions of
the Federal troops, and the location of their prominent
officers, as well as the exact position of the pickets on
that particular road. There were fully five thousand
troops, of all arms, in and around the city, for the most
part negroes and one hundred days' men.
Directing his force to be closed up, and summoning
the commanders of his brigades and detachments to the
front, Forrest gave to each definite and comprehensive
instructions as to the part assigned their respective
commands in the approaching drama, and at the same
time the necessary guides were distributed.
448 R. E. Haxcogk's Diaky.
To a company commanded by Captain William H.
Forrest was given the advance, with the ciiity of sur-
prising, if possible, the pickets; after which, without
being diverted by any other purpose, it was to dash
forward into the city, by the most direct route, to the
Gayoso House to capture Major-General Hurlbut and
some staff officers who were known to be quartered at
that hotel. Lieutenant-Colonel Logwood was to press
rapidly after Captain Pôrrest to the Gayoso House,
with the Twelfth (Green's) and Fifteenth (Stewart's)
Tennessee Regiments, placing, however, detachments
to hold the junction respectively of Main and Beal, and
Shelby and Beal streets, and to establish another
de-
tachment at the steamboat landing at the foot of Union
street. Lieutenant-Colonel Jesse A. Forrest (with Wil-
son's Regiment from Bell's Brigade) was ordered to
move rapidly down DeSoto to Union, and thence left-
ward, along that street, to the headquarters of General
Washburne, the Federal commander, whose capture it
was his special duty to make. Colonel Neely was di-
rected to attack, by an impetuous charge, the encamp-
ment of the one hundred days' men, across the road in
the outskirts of Memphis, with a command composed
-of his own regiment (Fourteenth Tennessee), the Sec-
ond Missouri, and the Eighteenth Mississippi. Colonel
Bell, being held in reserve, with Newsom's, Russell's,
and Barteau's Regiments
the latter under Captain
DeBowwith Sale's section of artillery, was to cover
the movement. And upon all commands the most rigid
silence was enjoined, until the heart of the city was
reached, and the surprise had been secured. These
dispositions and orders having been made, the several
detachment commanders rejoined their troops, formed
August, 1864. 449
them immediately into column of fours, and, at about a
quarter past three a. im., the whole command was again
put in motion at a slow walk.
Captain Forrest preceded the rest of his company
some sixty paces with ten picked men. When within
two miles of Court Square, the sharp challenge of the
picket, "Who comes there?" was suddenly heard to
break the stillness of the morning hour, also the Con-
federate Captain's cool and prompt reply: "A detach-
ment of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry* with rebel pris-
oners."
The customary rejoinder quickly followed, "Advance
one."
Captain Forrest rode forward in person, having pre-
viously, in a low tone, directed his men to move slowly
but closely behind him. As soon as he was in reach of
the unsuspecting picket, mounted, in the middle of the
highway, the Confederate officer felled his adversary to
the ground by one blow with his heavy revolver, while,
at the same instant, his men sprang forward and cap-
tured the picket-post of some ten or twelve mendis-
mounted at the momenta few paces rearward, to the
left of the highway, without any noise or tumult, except
the discharge of a single gun, which, with no little anx-
iety, was heard by General Forrest, who was moving
with the head of the main column only about one hun-
dred yards rearward. Sending the prisoners immedi-
ately to the rear Captain Forrest pressed on for a
quarter of a mile, when he encountered another out-
post, which greeted him with a volley. The daring
Confederates dashed forward, however, and scattered
the enemy in every direction. But, unhappily, forget-
*This regiment was known to be absent from Memphis with A.
J.
Smith.
29
ting the strict orders to be as silent as swift in their
operations, Captain Forrest's men shouted lustily, and
the contagion spreading, the cheer was taken up and
resounded rearward throug-h the whole column, now
roused to a state of irrepressible eagerness for the fray.
By this time the head of the column was in a few
paces of the Federal camp, on the outskirts of the cit\-
;
day was breaking, and a long line of tents was visible,
stretching across the country to the eastward and west-
ward of the highway nearly a mile. The alarm having
been given, and the orders prescribing silence generally
forgotten by his men. General Forrest directed his
bugler (Gaus) to sound the charge, and all the bugles
of several regiments took up and repeated the inspir-
ing notes. Another cheer burst forth spontaneously
from the whole line, and all broke ardently forward in a
swift, impetuous charge.
Captain Forrest, dashing rapidly by the infantry en-
campment with his little band (some forty strong) en-
countered an artillery encampment (six guns) eight or
nine hundred yards beyond. Sweeping down with a
shout and a volley from their pistols the Confederates,
drove the Fêderals from their guns, after killing or
wounding some twenty of the gunners. This effected
they pressed forward into the city, and did not halt until
they drew rein before the Gayoso Hotel, into the office
of which Captain Forrest and several of his companions
entered without dismounting,* and in a moment his men,
spreading through the corridors of that spacious estab-
lishment, were busily searching for General Hurlbut and
other Federal officers, to the great consternation of the
Allen Wylie and Claib We3t (Second Tennessee) being with Captain For-
rest, were the first to enter the Gayoso Hotel.
August, 1864. 451
startled o-uests of the house. Some of the Federal offi-
cers, roused by the tumult, rushing forth from their
rooms, misapprehending the gravity of the occasion,
offered resistance, and one of their number was killed
and some others captured, but General Hurlbut was not
to be found. Happily for that officer, his social habits
having led him out of his quarters the evening before,
they had also held him in thrall and absent from his
lodging throughout the night.
Unfortunately, Logwood was moving in rear of Neely,
and, in attempting to pass, his men became so inter-
mingled with Neely's that he was unable to push on and
enter the city as soon as had been expected. The time
thus lost proved to be precious moments, for the Fed-
erals, having been aroused by Captain Forrest, were
flying to arms and into line and the artillery was being
remanned. Ordered to push on into the heart of the
city without halting to give battle on the wayside, Log-
wood, placing himself at the head of his men, pressed
ohward for some distance, running a gauntlet of small-
arm volleys from the right, until a turn of the road
brought him in the presence of a line of infantry directly
across the way and sweeping it with their fire. Un-
swerved, on rushed the Confederates with their well-
known yell, and burst through the opposing ranks.
Hastening onward, a battery* was seen to the leftward,
but commanding a straight reach of the road ahead, and
the gunners of which were busily charging the pieces.
In view of the danger his command incurred from this
battery. Logwood was obliged to charge and disperse
those who manned it ; and, giving the command to
charge, his men swooped down upon their luckless
'Supposed to be the same battery that Captain Forrest had encountered.
452 E. R. Haxcogk's Diary.
enemy, a number of whom were knocked down at the
pieces, while the rest were driven off before they were
able to fire a gun. Resuming his charge toward the
city, Logwood in a few minutes entered and galloped
down Hernando street to the market-house and up
Beal, across Maine to the Gayoso House, and his men
were soon busily engaged in completing the search of
that hotel for Federal officers. The women and chil-
dren and some men were screaming or crying with
affright, or shouting and clapping their hands and wav-
ing their handkerchiefs with joy as they recognized the
mud-bespattered, gray uniforms of the Confederate
soldiery in their streets once more. Soon, indeed, the
scene was one of memorable excitement. Memphis was
the home of many of those gray-coated young riders who
thus suddenly burst into the heart of their city that Aug-
ust morning, and the women, young and old, forgetting
the costume of the hour, throwing open their window-
blinds and doors, welcomed their dear countrymen by
voice and smiles and every possible manifestation of the
delight inspired by such an advent.
During the same time, Lieutenant-Colonel Forrest,
speeding with his regiment toward the headquarters of
Major-General Washburne, on Union street, reached
that point without serious resistance to find, however,
the Federal commander had already flown, but several
of his staff were captured before they could dress and
follow their fleet-footed leader.
Colonel Neely dashed into the Federal encampment
on the right of the road, while Captain DeBow threw
the Second Tennessee into position (mounted) on the
left, in support of Lieutenant Sale's section of artillery,
which was thrown into position and opened upon the
enemy about daybreak.
August, 18C4. 453
Meanwhile Neely had met serious resistance in the
execution of his orders. The infantryat least a thou-
sand strongwhich it was his part to attack, had been
formed in line in time to receive his force with a w-arm
fire of small arms. Seeing this check, General Forrest,
who had remained with the reserves under Colonel Bell,
led them rapidly by the right flank to reinforce Neely,
but on the way developed a cavalry encampment just
eastward of the infantry, from which the Confederates
received a heavy fire. Being in advance, Forrest
charged promptly with his escort (mounted) over inter-
vening fences and through some gardens, dispersing the
dismounted occupants of the encampment, and captur-
ing nearly all their horses, with a number of prisoners.
Neely, at the same time making a vigorous onset upon
the infantry, succeeded in driving them, with some loss,
from their position ; whereupon they and the dispersed
dismounted cavalry took refuge in the extensive brick
buildings of the "State Female College," several hun-
dred yards distant, a strong defensive position. Fol-
lowed by the Confederates, the enemy poured a noisy
and annoying fire from behind the cover afforded by the
college. At this Forrest ordered up Captain DeBow
with the Second Tennessee (dismounted), and also
Lieutenant Sale with the artillery, and dismounting
some other troops, made an effort to dislodge the Fed-
erals, and an animated skirmish ensued. A number of
shells were thrown and exploded in the main building,
but it soon became apparent the position was only to be
gained at a loss far greater than was required for the
success of the expedition, therefore, the troops were
withdrawn ; not, however, until after we had suffered
some loss, for the Federals had decidedly the advantage
454 E. K, Haxcock's Diaky.
they behind brick walls, while we had no protection.
The Second Tennessee, being directly in front of the
college, suffered more, perhaps, than any other portion
of the command. W. W. Harrison* (Company C),
Perry Marks (Company B), who had distinguished him-
self in storming the wôrks at Fort Pillow, and about
four others, were killed. Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney,
who was in command of Company C, our color-bearer,
H. C. Odomf (Company C), and some others, were
wounded. All the commissioned officers of our com-
pany (C) now being wounded, the Second Sergeant, A.
B. McKnight (brother to our captain), took command
of our company.
Finding that the enemy were rapidly rallying and as-
sembling, Forrest had previously ordered the troops to
evacuate the city and concentrate at the Federal infantry
camp, which I have mentioned. This order found the
*Than whom Company C could boast of no better a soldier. He was brother
to Lieutenant
J.
S. Harrison.
tThe gallantry displayed here by the color-bearer of the Second Tennessee
deserves special mention. Pressing on in advance with our colors, Odom entered
the college yard, and when within about fifteen steps of that building he and a
Federal who was standing in the door opened fire at each other. One ball cut
the flagstaff in two and grazed Odom's face. After Odom's third shot the door
was closed, when on looking back he found that he was the only man inside the
college yard, the rest of the regiment having very prudently halted at the yard
fence, it being the only cover at hand. A stream of fire was now pouring from
all the windows of that large building. Turning and passing out at the gate
Odom was soon after shot down by a ball wiiich passed through his left arm and
left lung, and lodged just under the left shoulder blade. Lieutenant Turney
now sprang to the rescue of our colors and the assistance of Odom, but just as
he slooped to raise Odom his [Turney's] right arm was shivered above the
elbow. About this time the command commenced falling back. Odom suc-
ceeded in rising to his feet and ran about one hundred and fifty jards, and by
this time he was completely exhausted and had to stop. Luckily, Wallace Wil-
son and Billie Watt came to his assistance, and soon after coming up with Allen
Wylie mounted, the latter took Odom up heiiind and carried him about half a
mile back, where the ball was cut out. B. F. S. Odom now took him in a buggy
to where the command halted, near Cane Creek, about four miles from Mem-
Lieutenant H. L. W. TURNEV, Co. C.
August, 1804. 455
Confederates greatly dispersed and widely spread over
the city, many with the hope and object of meeting and
greeting friends and kindred, but for the most part in-
tent upon the discovery and appropriation of horses.
Few, indeed, retained their regimental or, in fact, com-
pany organizations. As soon, however, as they could
be collected, and Lieutenant-Colonels Logwood and For-
rest having effected a junction on DeSoto Street, they
moved out together, but encountered a strong body of
infantry formed across the road near Provine's house as
a support to the battery therethe gunners of which
were twice dispersed previously which was remanned
once more, and commanded the road, A warm colli-
sion occurred, in the course of which the Confederates
captured this battery the third time. Colonels Logwood
and Forrest then hastened to rejoin their commander,
as directed ;
and as all the Confederates were now with-
drawn from the city except some stragglers and those
who had been captured or killed. General Forrest gave
orders (about nine a. m.) for the whole force to withdraw.
The object of the expedition having been in the main
jihis; here our surgeons dressed liis wound and pronounced him mortally
wounded. The comninnd was moving off, and it appears that Odom was about
to lie left here tiy the roadside to die alone. In the meantime General Forrest
liad stepped off to a farm house near by, and on returning to the road to mount
and follow the command and seeing that Odom had been left, he said to him
[Odom], ''I \\'ill see that you are taken care of." Now kindly taking him by
the hand, the General bade him farewell and was proceeding to mount when
Odom asked, "Mow far are you going to-night, General?" "To Hernando,"
was the reply.
''
I," said Odom, "think that lean stand it to go that far; I don^(
-iVanl to In' left here.'''' Forrest then ordered four of his escort company to take
charge of Odom. An ambulance was soon brought back, and he and Lieutenant
Turney, who was at a house near by, were taken to Doctor Love's, two miles
from Hernando, where Turney remained one week and Odom three months and
a half; the latter was then taken to Charlie Brock's, near Aberdeen, where he
remained until the war closed. He is yet (1887)
suffering from that wound.
He stdl remembers with gratitude the kindness thus shown him by our nolde
General.
attained by the confusion and consternation into which
the garrison had been thrown by his operations of that
morning, it only remained, to secure the entire success
of Forrest's plans, that General Smith should receive as
early intelligence of the occurrence as possible, and
therefore he retired to give General Washburne leisure
and opportunity to telegraph the menacing situation at
Memphis and ask for succor, which it was felt assured
he would do.
Meanwhile, some of the Confederates who had ling-
ered in the city, or had lost their way in the general
dispersion which occurred, were chased out by a body
of several hundred Federal cavalry, a strong detach-
ment of which made a dash at some of Forrest's men
still in the infantry camp, and just in the act of mount-
ing. Seeing their jeopardy, Forrest sprang forward
with a small detachment of the ever-reliable Second
Missouri, that happened to be most convenient, and a
close, sanguinary collision took place. Among the slain
on this occasion was a Federal field officer (Colonel
Starr), who, while urging his men forward, was mortally
wounded by the hand of General Forrest. With this
affair the contest terminated, and the Confederates
moved back southward on the Hernando road for about
a mile, when they were halted and directed to exchange
their jaded horses for those captured in the city, some
four hundred in number.
Company C, Second Tennessee, under the gallant A.
B. McKni^ht, stood on ouard in the rear while the
command was halted here. It was now found that some
six hundred prisoners had been brought away, including
some citizens, and many convalescent soldiers, who,
when the alarm was pfiven, havinof fied from their hos-
August, 18G4. 457
pitals into the streets, had been captured. Nearly all
were bareheaded, and numbers were without shoes or
clothing, except that in which they slept. After some
delay at this point the march was resumed about noon,
but on reaching Cane Creek it was apparent that few
of the prisoners were able to walk in their shoeless
condition, while the convalescents were utterly unable
to make such a march as was impending. General
Forrest therefore dispatched a flag of truce by Captain
Anderson, accompanied by a captured staff officer, to
propose, as an act of humanity, that the prisoners in his
possession be exchanged for those of his own command
taken that morning, and that the rest would be turned
loose on parole, provided General Washburne would
accept the arrangement as binding; but in the event
that this proposition was rejected, he would wait at
Nonconnah Creek for the necessary clothing to be sent
out. A little after two r. m. Captain Anderson returned
wîth General Washburne's reply, to the effect that, hav-
ing no authority to recognize the proposed parole of the
prisoners, he could not do so, but thanking Forrest for
the proffered privilege of supplying them with clothing,
that should be done as speedily as possible. After some
delay. Colonel W. P. Hepburne and Captain H. S. Lee,
two officers of the F'ederal army, appeared with a flag
of truce and clothincr for both officers and men, which
were promptly and properly distributed. This done,
the prisoners were drawn up, and after examination by
surgeons, the able-bodied were selected, some four hun-
dred in number, and mounted upon the led horses to
accompany the command. The othersthat is, the
sick or disabled and all citizenswere then marched
back across the Nonconnah and turned adrift to return
to Memphis, but with the promise exacted not to bear-
arms, or otherwise injure the Confederate cause, until,
they should be regularly exchanged.
Another difficulty now presented itself in connection'
with the remaining prisoners. Exposed since leaving;
Oxford to the continuous heavy rains, and in the swim-
ming of streams, the rations of the command, it was;
found, had been almost all destroyed, and there were-
consequently none for issue to the prisoners. In this
dilemma, with that readiness which ever served him,
General Forrest, before leaving Nonconnah, wrote to-
General Washburne, and setting forth in emphatic terms,
this inability to feed his prisoners, suggested, as he
would not receive them on parole, that he should at
least send something that night for them to eat on the
road to Hernando, where he would be found. This
communication having been dispatched, Forrest resumed
his movement toward Hernando, at which placeseven-
teen miles distanthe arrived in four hours, and then
halted for the night. The Second Tennessee camped
about three miles north of Hernando, in DeSoto Count)-.
Monday, 22d.About daylight. Colonel Hepburne,
Captain Lee, and several Federal officers, overtook the
Confederate command with two wagon-loads of supplies,,
of the contents of which, after issuing two days' rations
to the prisoners, enough was left for the whole command
for a day.
Remaining at Hernando, as if intending to retire no-
further, Forrest gave his men rest until the Federal
officers with the subsistence wagons had left to return
to Memphis, when, about eight a. m., he rapidly resumed
his march to Panola, which place he reached by ten
o'clock that night ; however, some of the command did'
not arrive until after midnight.
August, ]S04. 450
Tuesday, 2jd.General Forrest, with his staff, escort,
and the section of Morton's Battery that liad been with
him on the expedition, went by rail to, and fixed his
headquarters at, Grenada, leaving orders for the several
commands that had accompanied him to Memphis to
rejoin their respective divisions, still under General
Chalmers, along the Mississippi Central Railroad.
Wed7tesday, 2^th.Our brigade, having set out from
Panola to rejoin the division, marched sixteen miles
south-west and camped for the night on Zacona River.
TJuirsday, 2^tJi. Crossing to the south side of the
Zacona and moving some twenty miles eastward, we
struck the Mississippi Central Railroad at Water Val-
ley
; thence moving northward along the railroad about
six miles, we found the rest of our division and encamped
with it near Springdale, some twelve miles south of Ox-
ford.
Our ColonelC. R. Barteautook command of the
regiment again for the first time since being wounded
at Harrisburg. Having reported for duty (the 20th)
too late to go with us to Memphis, he was assigned to
duty on General Buford's staff until his regiment re-
turned.*
Reverting to affairs at Oxford, we find that General
Chalmers skillfully disposed and handled his small com-
mand (about two thousand effectives) to conceal the ab-
sence of his superior with so important a part of the
Confederate force. With this view, during the 19th, he
made several sharp attacks upon the outposts on all the
roads occupied by the Federals. Nevertheless, the en-
emy pressed forward heavily, and, by a flank movement
of the enemy, Chalmers was forced to evacuate Oxford
*
Manuscript Notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau.
and fall back south of the Zacona on the 21st. The
Federal advance, however, did not enter Oxford until
about eight o'clock on the morning of the 2 2d, but a
column of infantry soon followed. The railroad depot
was burned in the morning, but no private buildings
were sebon fire. About midday,* however, orders were
given by the Federal commander for the burning of the
public buildings and unoccupied houses. In this con-
flagration were consumed all the principal business
houses, with an accidental exception, the two brick
hotels of the place, and of course the flames spread
rapidly to several dwellings occupied by women and
children and sick persons, happily rescued, however,
from destruction by the exertions of the inhabitants ot
Oxford.
By the 22d dispatches were received of Forrest's movement upon
Memphis, and the Federal commander, exasperated by the manner in
which he had been outwitted, wantonly destroyed the town of O.Kford,
under pretence of retaliation for exaggerated wrongs done by our men
(as they said) in Memphis.
A more shameful and unwarranted act can hardly be found in the
history of the war.f
About five p. M.. on the 2 2cl, the Federals were sud-
denly withdrawn from Oxford, and they began their re-
treat as rapidly as practicably back toward Memphis, by
the way of Holly Springs.
Sunday, 28th.Our division (Buford's) moved up to
where Oxford had been, and there we rested about nine
days.
Chalmers' Division was quartered for a time ten miles
west of Water \'ailey, and subsequently at Oakland, a
'It is supposed that General Smith received a dispatch from Washburne at
at that time.
t
Skptemuer, 1804. 401
station midway between Panola and Grenada, on the
Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad. About the end of
the month, however, under a requisition from Major-
General Maury, Chalmers' Division was detached to
proceed to West Point, on the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road, 671 route to assist in the defense of Mobile. Ma-
bry's Brigade had likewise been ordered away to co-
operate with General Wirt Adams in the direction of
the Yazoo. It was about this time, too, that Brigadier-
General Lyon (formerly Colonel of the Eight Kentucky)
rejoined Buford's Division, and was again placed in
command of the Kentucky Brigade
;
and also Colonel
McCulloch returned, sufficiently recovered from his
wound to be put at the head of his brigade. And on
the 4th of September Forrest, directing Buford to hold
his division in readiness to follow at a moment's notice,
left Grenada with his staff and escort to proceed, by
way of Jackson and Meridian, to take part in the de-
fense of Mobile.
McCulloch's Brigadeexcept the Fifth Mississippi,
which was on detached servicethe advance of Chal-
mers' Division, having reached West Point on the 3d,
was at once dispatched by rail to Mobile, and remained
there, detached from Forrest's Cavalry, for six months
;
but just as Rucker's Brigade (now under Colonel Kel-
ley) was about to set out, on the 4th, for the same point,
a telegram was received from General Maury dispens-
ing with further aid from Forrest's command. There-
fore, arriving at Meridian on the 5th, General Forrest
proceeded by rail to and fixed his headquarters at Ve-
rona, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Orders were
given at the same time to impress negroes and employ
them, guarded by details of dismounted men, to repair
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad as speedily as possible to
Corinth, as Forrest had now conceived the plan of throw-
ing his force, with that of Roddy, across the Tennessee
River upon the line of Sherman's communications in
Middle Tennessee, and cuttino" him off from his base of
supplies.
Buford's Division, Rucker's Brigade, and two batter-
ies Morton's and Walton's
were now ordered to

concentrate at Verona. With his command in North
Alabama, General Roddy was instructed to repair the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad east of Corinth, as
well as to prepare boats for the ferriage of the Tennes-
see River in the vicinity of Cherokee Station. General
Chalmers was directed to take post at Grenada, in com-
mand of all the troops (Mabry's Brigade, brought up
froni Lexington, the Fifth Mississippi, of McCulloch's
Brigade, and the State Reserves, or militia) not to be
carried upon the expedition impending.
Wedgiesday, September yih.General Buford set out
from Oxford with Lyon's and Bell's* Brigades, and,
after marching seventeen miles eastward, camped for
the night at LaFayette Springs.
Thursday, 8th.Moving about twenty miles east our
division camped at Pontotoc, and on the 9th we
marched through and encamped four miles south-east of
Verona. [About twenty miles from Pontotoc to Ver-
ona.]
The Second Tennessee was now in fine spirits and
high glee, from the fact that Forrest's command was
now actively occupied in making preparations for
THE MIDDLE TENNESSEE EXPEDITION.
Friday, i6th.All things being now ready, General
Forrest left Verona this mornings with four hundred and
'^"
Stitl composed of Barteau's, Wilson's, Russell's, and Newsoni's Regiments.
fifty dismounted men. under Lieutenant-Colonel Bar-
nett, and the cûns and caissons of his batteries to pro-
ceed, by rail, to Cherokee Station, sixteen miles west of
Tuscumbia, Alabama, by the way of Corinth. Four
trains followed freighted with subsistence and quarter-
master's stores for his command.
General Buforcl, setting out also from Verona this
morning for the same destination with his division,
Rucker's Brigade, and the horses of Morton's and Wal-
ton's Batteries, marched to (about twenty-one miles)
and encamped on Tombigbee river, near Fulton.
Saturday, ijth.After a march of about thirty- five
miles we bivouacked on Little Bear Creek.
Sunday, i8tJi. We marched to and camped at Cher-
okee. As General Forrest had to repair the railroad in
many places and all the wood used by the locomotives
had to be cut by the wayside by his troops, who like-
wise, in the absence of tanks, kept the boilers filled with
water brought in buckets from the streams that bor-
dered or intersected the road, he did not arrive at Cher-
okee until the 19th.
Roddy's Division was reported to be in readiness for
the field, but during the 20th the whole command re-
mained at Cherokee, actively occupied in cooking their
rations, or other preparations, especially the shoeing ot
their horses.
Wednesday, 21st.General Roddy had collected the
requisite means of ferriage for the artillery at Colbert's
Ferry, just above the head of Colbert Shoals, about
seven miles from Cherokee, and to that point the dis-
mounted men and batteries repaired, while the cavalry
moved to the ford at the lower extremity of the shoals.
Placing a guide at the head of the column, Forrest di-
464 It. K. Hancock's Diary.
rected it to make the crossing in a column formed by
twos and kept well closed up, so as not to lose the de-
vious and obscure pathway through the breakers. Thus
disposed, our cavalry, venturing into the river, boldly
dared the perils of a ford, to stray from which a short
distance, either to the right or left, was almost certain
destruction, for falling into some pit the luckless trooper*
would have been drawn down stream
f
by the current
and dashed against the jagged rocks which crowded the
rapids on all sides with almost certain hazard of being
disabled and drowned. At one time the whole ford from
side to side was filled with horsemen, presenting the ap-
pearance of a huge, sinuous, tawny serpent stretched
across the river amono- the breakers. The river at this
point was about 2,000 yards broad in a straight line
;
but the ford, winding along the shallows on the ledges
of the shoals, was quite two miles in length. This dan-
gerous feat having been happily accomplished, the com-
mand pressed on in the direction of Florence, and biv-
ouacked for the night within two miles of that place.
Thursday, 22d.Roddy's command, having crossed
the river the day before- at Bainbridge and in that vicin-
ity, effected a junction at Shoal Creek with the troops
from Mississippi, and Forrest's whole force was now as-
sembled, about
4,500
strong of all arms.
Only making a short march the command bivouacked
ten miles north-east of Florence, Alabama.
"One horse fell, but the rider succeeded in gaining a footing on a rock a
little under the surface of the water, where he remained until some one went to
his rescue.
IB. A. High says: "I saw a trooper who, getting a little too low down,
floated off down the river; however, I think that the horse swam to shore with
the rider."
If a single ii(e was lost I did not hear of it.
SKPTEMF5EK, 18(54. 105
Friday, 2^d.The line of march taken led eastward
through Rogersville, across Elk river to Athens, Ala-
bama (about forty-five miles east of Florence), an im-
portant point on the Nashville and Decatur Railroad,
known to be occupied in force by the enemy, and in that
immediate vicinity the head of our column arrived about
sunset.
A considerable Federal encampment was visible in
the north-eastern suburbs of the place. Pressing for-
ward his command, mounted, Forrest soon iorced the
Federals, who were very much surprised by this sudden
onset, to take refuge in a strong fort about three-quar-
ters of a mile distant, south-west of Athens, leaving the
horses and equipments of their cavalry in the hands of
Forrest's men.
About dark the Second Tennessee, under Colonel
Barteau, was detached to tear up the railroad northward
of Athens. Barteau deployed his men in line (with
about two men to a cross-tie) along the railroad, and
when the command "All together" was given, a portion
of the road the length of the regiment was lilted from
its bed.* Then moving to another place the same pro-
cess was repeated, and so on. After thus
"
swapping
sides
"
with a considerable portion of the track. Colonel
Barteau rejoined our brigade at Athens. Forrest de-
ployed his force so as to encompass the town and three
sides of the fort, and thus awaited daylight before
undertaking further operations.
Saturday, 2^th.Having to bivouac without shelter
last night some of our ammunition was injured by a
heavy rainfall.
'While thus engaged William F. Odotu (Cumiuiny C) was seriously hurt by
a railroid iron flying back and striking him.
30
466 E. R. Haxcociv's Diart.
Fully three hours of the morning were necessarily
occupied in preparation for the attack. The dismounted
men were established meanwhile as supports to the
artillery, which occupied four commanding positions
around the redoubt, and about eight hundred yards dis-
tant from it. Our regiment was placed in line, along
the embankment of the railroad, about the same dis-
tance east, while the rest of our brigade extended (left-
ward) around to the south-east of the work; Lyon
about six hundred yards immediately southward
;
and
Rucker's Brigade, as far from the Federal position, to
the westward of it, while Johnson occupied the town
with Roddy's men,* so extended in three lines through
the streets as to make it impossible for the enemy to
estimate their actual strength. Detachments from each
brigade were held, mounted, and thrown out to cover
all the approaches, and the rest, or greater part of the
command, were dismounted, with the usual horse-hold-
ers, who were concentrated in one body. Thus, by
half-past ten a. m., the Federal position was thoroughly
invested with a double line of riflemen, the foremost
circle (skirmishers) being within one hundred and fifty
yards of the Federal trenches. Being now ready for
the attack, Forrest determined to test the efficacy of a
flag of truce, and accordingly ordered the signal for a
parley to be sounded.
A few moments later Major Strange, a staff officer,
accompanied by Captain Pointer, bearing the usual flag
of truce, presented a formal demand for the uncondi-
tional surrender of the Federal garrison. The answer,
an absolute refusal to capitulate, was not long delayed.
General Forrest immediately sent forward another com-
*
General Roddy was sick and left at Tuscumbia, Alabama.
September, 18G4. 467
munication requesting a personal interview with his ad-
versary, which soon took place.
Our leader, at once approaching the business of the
interview, earnestly expressed his desire to avoid the
unnecessary shedding of blood
;
declared that his means,
including artillery, were so ample that he could carry
the position by storm, without any hazard or failure
;
and so assured did he feelhe observedof this fact,
that he was quite willing to exhibit his forces to the
Federal Commander, Colonel Campbell, who would find
it to be fully eight thousand strong, of all arms. In
reply, Campbell remarked that, of course, if he could
be satisfied such a force actually surrounded him, he
would not feel authorized to maintain so useless a de-
fense. His dispositions being favorable for his purpose
Forrest proposed that his adversary should at once re-
view his lines, and they rode together for that purpose.
The first troops displayed were the dismounted cav-
alry, w^ho were deployed as infantry, which they were
represented to be. Some six hundred yards rearward
the horse-holders were drawn up, mounted, the horses
in their charge so disposed as to be mistaken for a body
of at least four thousand cavalry, the number indicated
by the wily Confederate. The batteries were exhibited
in turn, and adroitly shifted from position to position,
so as to do double duty in the display. By the time the

inspection was concluded Colonel Campbell declared
that what he saw far exceeded his conception of the
force that confronted him, a force which, he added, ap-
peared indeed to be fully ten thousand strong, and
made defense on his part fruitless and unwarranted.
He therefore proposed to capitulate, asking only that
his officers might be allowed to retain their private prop-
erty and side-arms. Of course this proposition was ac-
cepted without discussion
;
and Major Strange and Cap-
tain Anderson, of Forrest's staft, returned with Colonel
Campbell, in order that the surrender should take place
as speedily as practicable. Accordingly, the garrison
was soon marched forth without arms, some fourteen
hundred, rank and file, and the capitulation was effected
by one i^ m.
"The work thus surrendered was a strong, square
redoubt, built upon a high hill, with parapets from eight
to ten feet high, encompassed by a ditch ten feet deep,
and fifteen feet broad, also with a line of abatis; and
the ditch was lined with sharp palisades."*
About the time the Federal Colonel was reviewing
our lines a train came up from the direction of Decatur
filled with Federal infantry, who disembarked about
one mile from the work, and were moved forward with
the evident purpose of forcing their way to a junction
with the invested garrison. The Seventh Tennessee,
having been already posted in observation in that
quarter, became immediately engaged in a lively skir-
mish with these troops, as, soon after, did a detachment
of Wilson's and Russell's Regiments, under Lieutenant-
Colonel Jesse F'orrest (from Wilson's Regiment), de-
tached for that purpose by Colonel Bell from his brigade.
After passing through or by the detachments above
,
namedstill pressing on toward the fort, along a flat
ridge west of the railroadThe Second Tennessee
opened upon their right flank, while a detachment of
the Fifteenth Tennessee under Lieutenant-Colonel Log^-
wood, also fell upon their left. The enemy fought, and
were handled with decided courage and resolution;
*"
Forrest's Campaigns," page
563.
Septemher, 1864. 469
many of their number were killed or wounded. On
coming- in sight of the fort, and seeing that it was in
the hands of the Confederates, they quickly threw
down their arms and surrendered to the number of four
hundred, after having struggled hard for nearly an hour
to eain the fort, during- which time they had inflicted
a considerable loss upon our side.*
Fortunately, the garrison in the fort had surrendered
just in time for us to take in this reinforcement.
Two block-housesone half a mile and the other one
mile and a half distant from Athens, on the line of the
railroad to Decaturstill remained to be reduced. Both
were immediately summoned to capitulate. The one
most remote succumbed at once, and the garrison
(eighty-five officers and men) laid down their arms on
the like terms to those granted Colonel Campbell. But
a stouter soldier, apparently, held the other fortalice, for,
upon being approached by Claib West (Company G,
Second Tennessee) with his handkerchief tied to a stick
for a white flag, the enemy at first fired upon the flag,t
but finally respected it. West advanced and demanded
his surrender, whereupon the Federal officer in charge
haughtily replied that, having- been placed in command
by his Government, he would forfeit his life rather than
yield.
Captain Morton, Chief of Artillery, having closely
observed the block-house, formed and expressed to
General Forrest the opinion that, notwithstanding the
great thickness of its walls of hewn oak timber, by firing
at the jointssomewhat wide from shrinkage
^he might
Lieutenant-Colonel Jesse Forrest was severely wounclei! through the thigh.
tWest afterward remarked that his handkerchief was so dirty that perhaps
the enemy mistook it for a black
flag.
penetrate within the work with his projectiles. There-
upon Morton was ordered to turn four of his three-inch
rifled pieces upon it. This done at a range of not ex-
ceeding three hundred yards, the first shot striking the
roof, scattered earth and plank in every direction, while
two other shells, penetrating, exploded and killed six
and wounded three of the garrison. The effect was
instantaneous; the wicket was thrown hurriedly open,
and an officer, rushing forth with a white flag, exclaimed
in accents of great excitement, as General Forrest rode
forward in person to meet him: "You have killed and
wounded nearly all my men
;
your shells, sir, bore
through my block-house like an auger !
"
This garrison
numbered thirty-five, making the aggregate of prisoners
now taken around Athens about nineteen hundred.
General Buford was able to improve materially the
armament of his division, and to provide about two
hundred of his dismounted men with excellent mounts.
Colonel Wheeler, of the First Tennessee Cavalry, came
up about this time with some two hundred men belong-
ing to General Wheeler's Cavalry, left in the country
during that officer's recent expedition. His men, too,
were furnished with arms and equipments. Four pieces
of artillery, five or six ambulances, and some twenty
wagons and teams were among the spoils. The cap-
tured wagons were loaded with such supplies, medical
stores and instruments, and ammunition, as were se-
lected by the proper staff" officers. The rest of the
stores, to a considerable amount, were then set on fire
and consumed, together with the two block-houses, the
adjacent trestle-work of the railroad, which they com-
manded, and all the buildings in and around the redoubt
that had been used by the enemy. Meanwhile the dead
Septej[bek. 1864. 471
were buried, and the wounded of both sides collected
and properly disposed of in Athens for treatment.
Some forty of the enemy were killed, and about one
hundred wounded. The Confederate loss was not over
twenty killed and sixty wounded. Our regiment lost
but one man (Bob Fullcrton, from West Tennessee)
killed. "We wrapped him in a blanket and buried him
where he fell."*
The prisoners and captured artillery and wagons,
properly guarded, were dispatched rearward in the di-
rection of Florence about five p. m.
;
and at the same
hour Forrest put his main command in motion again,
along the line of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad to
the northward, for what is known as the "Sulphur Tres-
tle," about eleven miles from Athens. On the way two
other block-houses were encountered and captured with
their garrisons (seventy) without firing a gun. This was
effected by a detachment of Roddy's Division, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Windes. Both these block-houses
and the bridges which they guarded were destroyed.
The command bivouacked some eig-ht miles north of
Athens.
Sufiday 2^th.Having only three miles to march,
Forrest was in front of Sulphur Trestle early in the
morning. The trestle was a costly structure which
spanned a deep ravine, with precipitous sides, some
four hundred feet broad. It was sixty feet high, and,
as may be seen, formed a most vulnerable link in the
chain of communication and supply between the Fed-
eral forces in North Alabama and their base at Nash-
ville. Hence, its protection was a matter of vital mili-
tary importance to the former, and accordingly the
*
position had been fortified. A square redoubt, with
faces of about three hundred feet in length, had been
thrown up on an eminence to the southward so as to
command the trestle and all approaches. This was
furnished with two twelve-pounder howitzers, arranged
so as to sweep all possible avenues to the trestle, while,
some two hundred yards in advance, on three sides, it
was surrounded by a line of rifle-pits. And two for-
midable block-houses were built in the ravine, at each
extremity, so as to command the ravine and prevent
hostile approach to the trestle by that way. These
block-houses and the fort were garrisoned by about one
thousand men.* ^
Rucker's Brigade being in advance, supported by
Roddy's command, and dashing across an open field,
charged the rifle-pits and made the enemy seek shelter
in the fort after a short skirmish, but not without the
loss of several Confederates. Making a close recon-
noissance, P'orrest saw that the works made the position
almost impregnable to his resources, especially since
the block-houses were sheltered from his artillery. He
spent several hours in unimportant light skirmishes, in
the course of which he succeeded, with slight loss, in
establishing a considerable portion of his force within
one hundred yards of the breastworks of the fort, under
cover of the acclivity of the ridge upon which it was
built, and some ravines which seamed it. In the mean-
time, also. Captain Morton had found and reported four
positions for his artillery severally within eight hundred
yards of and commanding the fort, from which he might
easily explode his shells in it. At this stage of opera-
*
Third Tennessee (Federal) cavalry, four hundred strong, and about six hun-
dred and twenty negro infantry.
tions Forrest determined to resort aorain
to the artifice
of demanding a surrender, and, accordingly, Major
Strange was sent forward, under tiag of truce, with the
summons. Fully an hour elapsed before he returned
with the answera positive refusal.
Captain Morton was now ordered to establish his bat-
teries in the positions which he had selected, and to
open with them without delay. Walton's guns were
soon in position at two points, from which he enfiladed
a large portion of the southern and western faces of the
work, while Morton's own battery, to an equal extent,
raked its other two faces, and Perrell's guns were
brought to bear from a somewhat more exposed posi-
tion in a cornfield within short range of the fort. From
these hurtful positions the Confederate artillery was
speedily plying with perceptible effect.
Meanwhile, our regiment, under Colonel Barteau, had
been thrown round to an elevated position in an open
field north-west of the fort. From this position we had
a splendid view of the interior of the Federal works.*
For a time the enemy responded vigorously with their
two guns, but a shell from Lieutenant Sale's section of
Morton's Battery striking the lower lip of one of them,
glanced, and, striking the axle, exploded, killing, it is
said, five men and overturning the piece, and soon the
other was dismounted by a shot planted squarely in its
mouth by Lieutenant Brown of the same battery. The
Confederate practice was excellent ; every shell fell and
*A somewhat amusing incident happened about this time. A negro who
had come out of the fort and was trying to make good his escape, was captured
by some of our boys. As soon as his fright was somewhat over he said: "When
dat letter come in dar wid Mr. Forrest's name to it I node dat was no place for
dis niggerI node Mr. Forrest before the wahI node him as well as I node
Mas
Jimlie was hard on niggers before the wah."
exploded within the fort, whose faces, swept in great
part by an enfilading fire, gave little or no shelter to the
garrison, who were to be seen fleeing alternately from
side to side, vainly seeking cover. Many found it, as
they hoped, within some wooden buildings in the fort,
but shot and shell crashing- and tearino- through these
feeble barriers either set them on fire or leveled them to
the ground, killing and wounding their inmates and ad-
ding to the wild helplessness and confusion of the
enemy who, though making, meanwhile, no proffer to
surrender, had, nevertheless, become utterly impotent
for defense. Seeing their situation, and desiring to put
a stop to the slaughter, Forrest, ordering a cessation of
hostilities, again demanded a capitulation. This time
the demand was promptly acceded to and the surrender
of the block-houses, as well as the fort, was speedily ac-
complished through the proper staff ofiicers.
The interior of the work presented a sanguinary, sick-
ening spectacle, another shocking illustration of the lit-
tle capacity for command and deficiency of military
knowledge of those appointed by the Federal Govern-
ment over their negro troops, rather than an example
of a stout, loyal maintenance of a soldier's post on the
part of the garrison. Eight hundred rounds of ammu-
nition had been expended by our artillery in this affair,
and at least two hundred Federal officers and men lay
slain within the narrow area of that redoubt, giving it
the aspect of a slaughter-pen. Among the dead were
Colonel Lathrop, the commander, and a number of offi-
cers. Comparatively few of the garrison (about thirty)
had been wounded. The bursting shells had done their
work effectively upon this poor, misofficered force,
whose defense, manifestly, from its feebleness, had been
September, 18i;4. 475
thus prolonged, because the officers, paralyzed under
the tempest of iron showered upon them, knew not what
to do in the exigency. Eight hundred and twenty offi-
cers and men capitulated
;
the other results were two
pieces of artillery, twenty wagons and teams, about three
hundred and fifty cavalry horses, with their equipments,
complete, and a large quantity of ammunition and com-
missary stores. This was not achieved, however, with-
out some loss on the Confederate side. Captain
J. J.
Kirkman, of Florence, Alabama, in command of Colonel
Johnson's escort, was among the killed. Major
J.
H.
Doan and Captain Carter, of Roddy's command, were
severely wounded.
Late in the afternoon, Buford was detached with
Lyon's Brigade to push forward and destroy the rail-
road bridge over Elk River, some seven miles north-
ward. Still later our brigade (Bell's), being dispatched
to follow and rejoin Buford, camped for the night within
one mile and a half of Elk River. The other troops
were busily occupied during the rest of the evening and
that night in burying the dead, collecting and providing
for the wounded of both sides and destroying the trestle
and block-houses.
Having already expended so large a portion of his
artillery ammunition, Forrest now determined to send
back to Florence, and across the Tennessee, four pieces
of his own artillery, the captured guns and wagons and
prisoners, with a suitable escort, commanded by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Logwood.
Monday, 26th. Setting out from Sulphur Trestle
early in the morning, Colonel Johnson, with Roddy's
Division, swung round eastward by the way of Upper
Elkton, while Forrest, with Rucker's Brigade, moved by
a way nearer the line of the railroad, so as to be in
supporting distance of Buford, who was ordered to ad-
vance along that line as far as Richland Creek, seven
miles south of Pulaski, and there Johnson also was in-
structed to join him.
In the saddle early our brigade rejoined Buford at
Elk River. The Federals had evacuated their fort and
block-houses at this point during the preceding night.
After destroying the large railroad bridge, the block-
houses and some trestle, Buford set out with his divis-
ion in the direction of the railroad bridge which spans
Richland Creek, some eight miles northward. On the
way he destroyed another deserted block-house and
about 10,000 cords of wood, collected for the operation
of the road, in the burning of which he likewise effect-
ually impaired at least a mile of the track. The com-
mand was then concentrated, and moved on to Richland
Creek, over which there was a truss railroad bridgfe two
hundred feet long, defended by a heavy block-house, the
garrison of which (forty-live strong) surrendered after a
few shells had been burst against it. The bridge and
block-house were then consigned to the torch, and the
command (includinor Roddv's Division and Rucker's
Brigade) camped for the night.
General Forrest has now redeemed the promise which
he made to the Second Tennessee while standing inside
the Federal works at Fort Pillow. He, then and there,
promised to take our regiment home to Middle Tennes-
see.* It will be remembered that he would have re-
deemed that promise soon after it was made had it not
been for the Sturgis raid. We left our native State
*
It will be lemembeied that all of our regiment except three companies
were from Middle Tennessee.
SEPTEilBEK, 18(54. 477
about two years and a half ago, and many of us have
not had the pleasure of visiting- our section of the State
since until to-day. How even a very slight prospect of
seeing home and kindred cheers the heart of a poor
soldier who has been absent so long
!
Tiiesday, 2^/111. Forrest put his command in motion
early that morning toward Pulaski in the following order
:
Buford still moved along the railroad, Johnson to the
right of it, deployed across the turnpike, followed by
Rucker's Brigade. In this order the Federal pickets
were encountered a mile beyond Richland Creek, and
were borne back for another mile, when a heavy Fed-
eral force was developed in line of battle, stretched
across the turnpike and railroad, here about four hun-
dred yards apart, and on a range of hills affording an
excellent position. It was a mixed force of cavalry,
artillery, and infantry, apparently not less than six
thousand strong, while our force was now reduced to
about thirty-three hundred men and four guns. Never-
theless, our leader, resolving on the offensive, dis-
mounted Buford's and Johnson's small divisions and
deployed them across the roads, as Rucker's Brigade,
still mounted, was boldly launched to make a detour to
the eastward and gain the Federal rear.
^
General Forrest threw forward his escort, on foot, as
skirmishers in front of Johnson and to the rightward ot
the turnpike. Charging up a hill held by the enemy in
that part of the fielci, they brough on the engagement
and gained the position, with a loss of some seven or
eight of their number killed or wounded. Meanwhile,
Buford and Johnson pressed up with vigor, and an ani-
mated musketry and artillery affair ensued.* The
''Here Colonel Johnson wa^ -.eveiely wouiuieJ, and the command of Roddy's
force devolved for the rest of the expedition upon Colonel
J.
R. B. Burtwell.
enemy, however, did not stand their ground, and soon
were observed retiring toward Pulaski. At this, order-
ing his men to remount and follow, Forrest led the way
with his staff and escort, and a running skirmish was
kept up until, finally, about three p. m., the Federals
filed into position behind their works at Pulaski.* These
consisted of a chain of detached redoubts of command-
ing positions, interlinked by rifle-pits, the whole fur-
nished with artillery, and bristling with abatis.
Seeing that the enemy were well fortified at this point,
and fully believing that their force was far superior to
his own, Forrest only made a menace of an attack upon
the southern and eastern faces by pushing forward,
slowly but steadily, a strong skirmish line up to within
four hundred yards of the Federal intrenchments by
nightfall. f And after dark a broad, long belt of camp-
fires, by his orders, blazed on a ridge about a mile and
a half from the threatened part of the Federal works.
Maintaining his pickets close up to the enemy, and re-
newing the camp-fires about nine o'clock, the Confed-
erates were quietly formed, and at ten o'clock drew off
by the road to the eastward, in the direction of Fayette-
ville, with the purpose of striking the Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad at, and in the vicinity of, Tulla-
homa.;]: The rain, however, began to pour down, and
the night soon became so dark that the artillery and
wagon train could not be forced along over the miry,
rugged roads of the country, and the command was
*
Gaus, Forrest's favorite bugler, had his bugle disabled by three balls in
this ride.
tElisha Briley (Company F, Second Tennessee) was here mortally wounded.
J
Forrest also sent back to Florence from in front of Pulaski all unnecessary
wagons and teams, some two hundred prisoners, and forty wounded men, under
a suitable escort.
halted for the night after a short march of six or seven
miles.
Wednesday, 28th.
In the saddle by daybreak the

movement was resumed, and though the route was by
narrow cross-ways, through a broken, extremely rough
country, made boggy by recent hard rains, nevertheless
the command, much of the time at a sharp trot, marched
thirty miles and bivouacked at dark five miles beyond
Fayetteville,* on the Tullahoma road.
TJmrsday, 2gth.Still pressing on toward Tullahoma,
till within fifteen miles of that place, Forrest was there
met by scouts with the tidings that a heavy column of
Federal infantry was advancing from Chattanooga to
meet him, and that the forces which he had left in the
lurch intrenched at Pulaski were now on the way by
rail, through Nashville, to confront him at Tullahoma.
Thus anticipated, Forrest found it expedient to make a
radical change in his plan of operations. It was still
raining, and the Tennessee River was rising rapidly,
while there were no means of ferriage available, except
a few old flats at or near Florence. And besides, the
enemy in the country were greatly his superior in num-
ber, even in cavalry. The situation was extremely pre-
carious, and one indeed that required a large measure
of coolness and judgment for extrication. Our leader
therefore resolved to subdivide his command. General
Buford, with Roddy's Division and a part of his own,
the artillery and wagon train (about one thousand five
hundred men), was ordered to move swiftly upon Hunts-
ville, Alabama, seize that place if practicable, and after-
ward, destroying as much of the railroad thence to De-
*
Fayetteville is about thirty miles east of Pulaski and thirty south-west of
Tullahoma.
catur as he could, throw his command south of the Ten-
nessee at that point, if the means were found there.
Putting himself at the head of the other detachment,
likewise about one thousand five hundred strong, For-
rest proposed to move rapidly across the country to
Spring Hill, strike the railroad there, and break it up
between that point and Columbia, and at the same time
drawing after him hostile forces that otherwise would be
sure to follow Buford, and prevent, most probably, the
escape of our wagon train and artillery across the Ten-
nessee River.
Our regiment moved with General Forrest. This
suited some of our boys, especially Company B, for a
number of that company lived in Williamson County.
Both subdivisions were put in motion that afternoon.
Turning north-west and crossing the Fayetteville and
Shelbyville turnpike, we encamped some fifteen miles
south-west of the latter place at a hamlet called Peters-
burg. Here Forrest learned through scouts that a strong
Federal cavalry force, on the march from Pulaski to Tul-
lahoma, was only eight miles distant to the north at the
time. Nevertheless, as our weary animals needed rest,
Forrest allowed us to remain encamped all night.
Friday, joth.Resuming our march across the coun-
tr)
,
passing through Lewisburg and crossing Duck
River at Hardison's ford, to the eastward of Columbia,
we camped for the night on the north bank of that river.
Saha-dav, October ist. After marching a few miles in
the direction of Franklin we turned westward and struck
the Nashville and Decatur Railroad at Spring Hill about
noon.
Here, seizing the telegraph office by surprise, Forrest
found the line in operation from Pulaski to Nashville,
October, 186-t. 481
and most opportunely intercepted several official dis-
patches, which gave precise information with regard to
the location at the time of the principal bodies of troops
which were afield in pursuit of him. From one of these
he was particularly annoyed to learn that General Steed-
man was marching with a heavy column toward Hunts-
ville. Alabama, with the evident object of cutting off his
retreat to the south bank of the Tennessee River. Hav-
ing thus acquired as much information as possible touch-
ing the movements of the enemy, and sent several mis-
leading, spurious dispatches to General Rousseau at
Nashville in regard to the Confederate movements, For-
rest broke up the telegraph line around Spring Hill,
and at two v. m. turned the head of his column toward
Columbia, having previously detached a force to destroy
the small trestles on the railroad as far northward as
Franklin.
Large piles of wood collected for the locomotives were
burned, as also an extensive Government savv^mill and a
large quantity of public lumber, about three miles south-
ward of Spring Hill ; and here were captured thirty fat
oxen, six wagons, and some forty mules. Near by were
several stronof block-houses, but being" now without
artillery Forrest was perplexed as to the speediest
method for their reduction. Howbeit, promptly display-
ing his force so as to make a formidable show, the oft-
tried device of a peremptory demand tor a surrender
was again adventured. Meeting with an equally prompt
refusal he next requested a personal interview with the
Federal commander, which being assented to, they met.
Proposing to show to his adversary the forces at his dis-
position, so that it might be seen there was no decep-
tion on the Confederate side, and furnishing a horse to
31
482 E. R. Hancock's Diaky.
the Federal officer, they actually made togêther a rapid
survey of the investing force. Moreover, Forrest, as-
suring his antagonist as he was approaching his ambu-
lance that he had the means to destroy the block-houses
without artillery, called upon the driver of that vehicle
to bring him a vial of
"
Greek fire." This being done,
it was thrown and broken against a fresh oak stump, and
the fluid spreading the blaze immediately covered the
still green bark. The men cheering lustily at this for
the "Greek fire," Forrest, taking advantage of the tu-
mult, remarked that as his men were growing excited it
were best for them to retire toward the block-house,
whither they galloped immediately before the officer was
able to scan the positive effects of the Greek fire. The
Federal officer now expressing himself satisfied as to
the hopelessness of any defense under the circumstances,
capitulated both block-houses at five p. m., with sixty-
five officers and men. Both structures and the truss
bridge, one hundred and fiity feet long, which they
guarded, were now thoroughly fired and destroyed.
Major Strange was next dispatched with a flag of truce
to demand the surrender of another block-house half a
mile distant. The commander was a German, who,
greatly excited by the demand, refused not only to yield,
but to hold any conference, swearing roundly that he
had heard of Forrest before ; that he was a dd rebel,
with whom he would have nothing to do. The man
went so far as to threaten to fire on the flag. Hearing
this, Forrest set men to collecting and filling sacks with
dry chips and other light combustibles, which were then
saturated with turpentine and oil, carried for the con-
tingency. It was now nine o'clock, and very dark.
Colonel Russell was ordered to dismount his reo-iment
October, 18G4. 4Sc
and make an effort to burn the bridge which was guarded
by this block-house, in spite of its haughty commander.
Russell at once pressed some of his men close up to the
work, under cover of the railroad embankment, and
while they opened a noisy fire upon the block-house,
others
picked men, provided with the bags of combust-

iblescrept to the bridge, and placing these under its
braces, at the signal ignited them with the Greek fire, a
small vial of which each man carried also. In a moment
the bridge was effectually in flames, and the men who
had applied the fire rejoined their companies without
hurt. The Confederates, now cheering heartily, ban-
tered their adversary, while the Dutchman swore pro-
fusely as the Confederates rode away.
While this was going On, Colonel Wheeler, whose
command was now increased to five hundred men, had
been detached and directed to menace Columbia. Meet-
ing a stage with several Federal officers, these were
captured and the horses appropriated. Coming pres-
ently, however, across a force of three hundred Federal
cavalry moving after the stage, a sharp collision occurred,
in which the Confederates were worsted to the verge of
disaster. But, happily, a detachment of the old Forrest
Regiment, under Captain Forrest, came up opportunely,
and Wheeler, thus reinforced, charged in turn, and
drove the enemy rapidly back into Columbia, capturing
some twenty-five prisoners and fifty horses. He re-
mained for several hours menacing the passage of Duck
River and an attack upon Columbia, but after eight p.
M., quietly withdrawing, rejoined Forrest two hours
later, encamped on the road leading down the north
bank of Duck River, toward Wîlliamsport.
Four block-houses and as many large truss railroad
484 K. II. Hancock's Diaky
bridges had been burned, and so eftectually was the
railroad impaired that it would be useless to the enemy
for weeks,
The following letter will explain how Company C,
Second Tennessee, lost (on the above date) a gallant
soldier (E. L. Ewing) by mere carelessness:
Greenville, Hunt County, Texas, May 8th, 1887.
Mr. R. R. Hancock:
My Dear Friend
.... I was placed on picket near the

turnpike, between Spring Hill and Columbia, with instructions to
come in at the sound of the bugle, but the bugle never sounded, and
I never went in; and thus I was left on post. While there the Yankees
came upon me, and one of theni shot and wounded me in the shoulder,
but did not knock me off my horse. The Yankees did not pursue. I
rode about one mile and a half to Mr. James T. Moore's, where I had
to give it up. I dismounted and walked right into the house, without
leave or license, threw myself upon the carpet, and began to feel about
for my checks, because I thought that the time had come for me to
hand them over; but I was mistaken, for I am here yet.
The Yankees got everything that 1 had, but I fell in the best place
in the world. I remained at Mr. Moore's under the treatment of Dr.
S larbera man I never shall forgetuntil the Hood campaign.
When Hood retreated from Nashville I fell back across the Ten-
nessee River, where I remained until the war closed; but I was never
able to take up arms any more after I was woundedin fact, I am a
cripple to this day. .........
Yours truly, E. L. Ewing.
Sunday, 2d.Throwing his command to the south
bank of Duck River, and spreading details over the
country to collect beef cattle and bread rations. Forrest
meanwhile
halted his main force about six miles from
Columbia,
which he next proceeded to threaten with an
attack by a detachment under his own immediate com-
mand.
Colonel Barteau was ordered to threaten an
attack upon the west side of town, while Forrest, turn-
ing rightward, was to strike the railro id south of town.
In speaking of this affair, Colonel Barteau says :
October, 1864. 485
Two of my best companies were detached and many men detailed
for various purposes, being familiar with the country. I had, there-
fore, but fractions of companies, and about seventy-five men in all.
With these I was ordered to go down the turnpike to Columbia,
while all the other troops made a detour to the railroad to capture
stockades, etc. Within a mile of the town we encountered a picket
of fifty men, which we drove rapidly in. Remaining near the place
some two hours the enemy had fall opportunity of viewing our whole
strength, and came out in force, to all appearances, and according to
the best judgment of some of my men, about eight hundred strong.
Knowing that there would be great danger of having
his men all captured if he attempted to make a stand
before passing through a deep cut on the west side of
Caruthers' Creek, Colonel Barteau now withdrew rap-
idly behind that stream, where he succeeded in checking
the enemy, who had in the meantime pressed hotly after
him. Thomas Barnes (Company D) was captured in
this affair at Columbia. After he had surrendered a
I'ederal struck him on the head with a gun. He died
soon after in prison, and it was thought that his death
was caused by the severe blow mentioned above. E.
L. Ewing (Compan)- C) was so severely wounded that
he had to be left.
While Colonel Barteau was thus attracting the atten-
tion of the enemy on the west side of town. General
Forrest swung round to the south side ; but, finding the
position to be well fortified, he nevertheless remained on
the outskirts of the place until late that evening, harass-
ing the garrison and burning some short trestles in the
direction of Pulaski. Meanwhile his main force, after
his commissary details had discharged their duties, had
moved across to Mount Pleasant and bivouacked, and
there he and Barteau joined them that night.
Monday, jd.Scouts now reported the rapid rising of
the Tennessee River; that Buford, unable to capture
486 li. R. Hancock's Diary.
Huntsville, had likewise failed to destroy the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad ; that General Steedman was
moving with a column of infantry, reported to be 8,000
strong, with the evident object of intercepting the Con-
federates, in their retreat, at Decatur; that a heavy cav-
alry force was pressing across from Tullahoma toward
Florence, and a column of infantry and cavalry under
Rousseau, from the direction of Nashville.* Thus fully
15,000
P'ederal troops were now afield after Forrest,
who determined to effect a junction with Buford without
delay, for in that event he would be able, he hoped, to
beat off any cavalry force that he might meet, and by
maneuver he would elude any infantry column if unable
to effect the passage to the south bank of the river.
But for some cause (unknown to the writer) we marched
only seven or eight miles, and bivouacked on the road
leading through Lawrenceburg.
Tuesday, Îh.Passing through Lawrenceburg, thence
in the direction of Florence, Alabama, we camped for
the night, after a march of about thirty-six miles.
Wednesday, ^th.After a short march Forrest halted
within seven miles of Florence until after midnipfht.
We suppose that he made this halt in order to give his
scouts time to report.
Buford had passed through. Florence, and was now
ferrying the wagons and artillery at the mouth of Cy-
press Creek and Newport.
Thursday, 6th. Detaching Company B of the Sev-
enth Tennessee to push on with the beef cattle by the
direct road to Colbert's Ferry, at the head of Colbert
Shoals, Forrest led the rest of his command, before day-
Rousseau's infantry mainl)- moved in wagons, to secure rapid transporta-

tion.
October, 1864. 487
light, to Florence. The rapid approach of Steedman,
from the direction of Huntsville, and Rousseau, from
Nashville, made the situation urgent, and our leader
now gave his special attention to every possible means
for increasing the facilities for ferriage by distributing
his command at all practicable points of crossing from
the mouth of Cypress Creek to Colbert Shoals.
The Fourth Alabama, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Windesfrom ^loddy's commandwas left to guard the
Huntsville road, while Colonel Barteau was ordered to
move the Second Tennessee out a lew miles from Flor-
ence to picket the "Old Military," or Nashville road.
The following is from the manuscript notes of Colonel
Barteau
:
About seven o'clock on the morning of the yth. in obedience to
instructions I withdrew from the military road to join Colonel Windes
who had been pressed back on the Huntsville road. We both passed
through Florence and took a position some two and a half miles west
on Cypress Creek, at Martin's Mills, on what is called Martin's Bluff,
commanding the main road to the various points at which Forrest was
crossing his troops.
The enemy came into Florence, and remaining perhaps an hour,
fell back to their camps on the Huntsville road to await, as I now
suppose, the arrival of the force from Nashville. This was so dis-
patched to General Forrest, thinking, as I did, that the enemy would
not further pursue or annoy us. At the same time Lieutenant-Colonel
Windes left with his regiment to make an effort to cross the river*
while I waited for instructions and in the meantime was joined by a
part of the Seventh Tennessee, which^kindly consented to remain.
We camped on the bluff that night.
On the morning of the 8th I received a dispatch from Forrest to
follow the enemy if they retired toward Huntsville, and to cross the
river at some point above. Information, however, reached us through
scouts at once that the Federals were moving toward the mills in con-
siderable force, and that troops had reached Florence from Nashville.
We therefore determined to hold the position at all hazards, knowing
it the only safety for the troops that were then engaged in crossing the
river.
The river, already very high, was still rising, and so
full of driftwood as to be e.xtremely dangerous to the
swimming horses, while three small flatboats and not
more than ten skiffs were the means of ferriage at For-
rest's commiand. Nevertheless, by this time all the ar-
tillery, the wagon-train, and the larger portion of the
troops, had been safely landed on the south bank of
the Tennessee, as well as a large number of horses.
However, at least one thousand of Forrest's men, with
their horses, were still on the north bank of the river,
besides those under Colonel Barteau, who was still hold-
ing the Federals in check at Cypress Creek. As he
(Barteau) was in command of all the troops now con-
frontingf the Federals, our Lieutenant-Colonel, G. H.
Morton, was in command of the resfinient.
So well had nature fortified the crossing of Cypress
Creek at Martin's Bluff that Barteau, with only a few
men, held the heavy F"ederal force which now confronted
him at bay until, finally, about three p. m., General
Steedman, finding himself unable to force the position,
sent a brigade of his cavalry around, by a crossing three
miles above, while, soon after, another detachment was
sent around by the way of a ford below. Barteau had
taken the precaution to place guards at the crossing
above as well as below; but, however, the Federals did
not give our guards time to report
pressing after them

at a swift gallop along the roads which concentrated at
a point in the Colbert Ferry road only a short distance
in rear of our position at Martin's Bluff. Anticipating
these movements, Barteau had sent a detachment of the
Second Tennessee, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morton,
to reinforce the picket at the upper ford. The Federals
had crossed, as above stated, and after a warm collision,
October, 1804. 489
in the course of which he found that he was over-
matched, Morton fell back, as he thought, on Colonel
Barteau, who had learned, in the mean time, that he was
surrounded, and, with the balance of the Second Ten-
nessee and a part of the Seventh, Barteau was now cut-
ting his way through the Federal brigade that had
swung- round to his rear from the other crossing. See-
ing no other way of escape, Morton, with his little band,
now dashed boldly out between two lines* of Federals,
capturing and bringing off two prisoners.
f
In speaking of this affair Colonel Barteau says :
Being now surrounded by the enemy on all sides, we were com-
pelled to charge and break through their lines in order to rescue the men
from capture. Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, who led a portion of the
Second Tennessee, deserves especial credit for the manner in which he
performed this duty, while I, with apart of the Seventh Tennessee and
the balance of the Second, turned back the flank of the enemy which
were on their rear, and put them [the enemyj in temporary disorder.
I did not have here exceeding two hundred and fifty men, while
the Federals were not less than three thousand.
After this I was joined the same evening by Colonel Wilson, with
a hundred men, while the Seventh Tennessee went to the river to
cross. We spent the night in clese proximity to the enemy.
After Morton had thus passed out it was <-aid that those two lines opened
a heavy fire upon each other, eacli taking the other to be tlie enemy.
tOn reaching the point on the road leading westward from Morton's Bluff,
wliere the roads from the upper and lower crossing came into it,
J.
W. Kennedy
and I halted to watch the road leading back to the upper crossing, while
Dotson (Company B) dismounted from his iiiule to lay down a fence on the south
side of the road for the command to pass through. As they dashed through
the gap, whicli was about two hundred yards from us back on ihe road leading
toward the lower crossing, the boys called out that the Federals were upon them
from below. Putting spurs to my horse I passed through the gap just hi time,
while Kennedy, who did not understand the boys, as I thought he did, was too
late to pass through the gap; he made his escape, however, by forcing his horse
to leap two or three fences. By the time Dotson had remounted the Federals
were upon him and he surrendered, after which his mule, not being willing to
surrender, turned and followed the command in spite of his rider, and thus
Dotson was lirought safely out.
I do not know our exact loss in the above affair
;
however, I suppose that the loss of our regiment in
killed and wounded and captured did not exceed ten
men. Jared
(Mars) Averett was killed and Thomas
Nixon and R. B. Dobbins (Company E) were among
the captured. Some of our men lay concealed in the
woods all night, so close to the enemy, that they could
be heard talking, but making their escape next morning
'
they rejoined us.
Sunday, ()th. The way being now opened to the river
for the Federals, General Forrest was forced to aban-
don the upper ferries and to complete the ferriage ot
his cattle from an island at the head of Colbert Shoals
and to throw the rest of his horses and men to the south
bank, except those under Colonel Barteau, who was
now cut off from the rest of Forrest's command, as well
as from an opportunity to cross the river, and was left
with his little band (a part of his own regiment and
about one hundred of Wilson's) to take care of himself
and men as best he could. Our colonel had quite a
small force with which to compete with about 12.000
Federals. He fell back into the hills north-west of
Florence, moving his camp daily from five to ten miles
until
Wednesday, /i"///.*Finding that the way was now
clear, Barteau moved his men to the river (about fifteen
miles), and the command was all on Coga's Island a
little before sunset by fording that portion of the Ten-
nessee which runs around the north side of that island.
The command immediately commenced crossing from
*
Rations were very scarce, and besides we had no cooking vessels. Some of
the boys managed to get some flour which we made up on an oilcloth, and then
rolling the dough around sticks we baked it before the fire.
OCTOBER, 18G4. 491
the south side of the island by means of two flat-boats*
and one skiff, and by nine a. m., on the 13th, we had all
landed safe on the southern bank of the river. We
then moved down to luka, Mississippi, where we re-
mained for the night.
Friday. 14th.We rejoined our division at Corinth.
In the course of the expedition into Middle Tennessee General
Forrest placed hors dc combat fully three thousand five hundred Federal
officers and men, including those taken prisoners. He also captured
eight pieces of artillery with their caissons and ammunition, nine hun-
dred head of horses and mules, more than one hundred head of beef
cattle, about one hundred wagons, the most of which were destroyed,
three thousand stands of arms and accoutrements, with large stores of
commissary, ordnance, and medical supplies.
He destroyed six large truss railroad bridges, nearly one hundred
miles of railroad, two locomotives and some fifty freight cars, several
thousand feet of heavy railroad trestling, a Government sawmill, with
a large amount of lumber, at least five thousand cords of wood, and
finally captured and destroyed ten of their best block-houses, which,
Avith one exception, be it noted, were actually impregnable to ordinary
light field artillery.
He also brought out of Middle Tennessee a thousand men added
to his own immediate command, as well as six or eight hundred who
had straggled from Major-General Wheeler in the course of his recent
expedition in that region.
All this was achieved at the expenditure of about three hundred
officers and men killed and wounded. ... It was accomplished,
moreover, in twenty-three days, in the course of which, from Corinth
back to Cherokee Station, the Confederate troops marched over five
hundred miles,
f
Roddy's Division was left in North Alabama, while
the men belonging to General Wheeler's command were
-detached, with orders to repair to Gadsden, Alabama,
and rejoin their division.
*
B. A. High and Claih West found the boats and reported that the way was
open to the river, for which they deserve special praise.
t"
Forrest's Campaigns," p. 588.
I shall 'here mention a little affair that happened a
day or two before our arrival at Corinth. In the dispo-
sitions made to meet any attempt to throw a force
against Forrest by the river, Colonel Kelly was dis-
patched to Eastport, where he arrived with less than
three hundred men and two guns, just as a fleet of
three Federal transports heavily laden with infantry and
artillery, and conveyed by two gunboats, came in sight.
He threw his men and guns in position without being
observed. Fully twelve hundred Federals, three six-
pounder rifle guns and about sixty horses were ashore
and the infantry formed in line along the river bank be-
fore Kelly suffered his riflemen and artillery to open
upon them at a moment when the staging was still filled
with troops. As soon as Kelly opened the action with
both artillery and small arms, the Federals broke ranks
beyond the control of their officers and rushed toward
the transports. Shell after shell was sent plowing
through the flying throng ; others crashed and splint-
ered through the sides of the transports, and at least
two were exploded in a gunboat. At this juncture
the cables of the transports being cut loose, drifting off
from the bank, their stagings were dropped into the
water when crowded with men, who were plunged head-
lonor
into the stream, as well as another ofun and caisson.
In their panic some of the Federals, springing into the
river, attempted to swim to and clamber upon the
steamers, while others, throwing down their guns,
blankets and haversacks and runninof down the river
bank, effected their embarkation about half a mile be-
low upon one of the steamers which ventured to touch
the bank for that purpose. The results of this brilliant
little affair were the capture of seventy-five officers and
October, 1804. 493
men, three pieces of rilied field artillery and sixty
horses, one gun and two caissons sunk in the river and
the drowning and killing of at least two hundred and
fifty Federal officers and men, including those hurt on
the transports and gunboats. Meeting with such a sum-
mary hostile reception the Federal fleet left that portion
of the river as rapidly as possible, reporting, it is said,
that they had been attacked and beaten off by all of
Forrest's cavalry.
Forrest, reporting to Lieutenant-General Taylor, his
superior, the results of his expedition into Middle Ten-
nessee, asked that General Chalmers, who had been de-
tached from his command during his absence should be
restored to it, to enable him to make another expedition
into the northern part of West Tennessee with a special
view toward the destruction of the Federal depot at
Johnsonville.
All were now astir, shoeing horses and making other
necessary preparations for the
JOHNSONVILLE EXPEDITION.
Our brigade (Bell's), setting out from Corinth early
on the 1 6th, camped the first night at Purdy, the second
a few miles north of Mifflin, the third near Lavinia, and
the fourth
.(
19th) eiglit miles further north, where ew
halted two days.
Meanwhile, Buford, having left Corinth on the 17th,
with Lyon's Brigade and Morton's and Walton's Batter-
ies, arrived at Lexington the 20th. Our brigade, hav-
ing been ordered to join Buford at that place, was again
put in motion about one a. .m. on the 2 2d. After march-
ing back through Spring Creek, thence six miles in the
direction of Lexington, the order was countermanded,
and we again turned back and camped for the night
within four miles of Spring Creek. Continuing our
march north-east on the 23d, our brigade rejoined Bu-
ford at Huntingdon on the 24th, where we again halted
for three days.
Setting out from Corinth on the i8th, General For-
rest followed with his escort and Rucker's Brigade,
under Colonel Kelly, en route for Jackson, by way of
Purdy and Henderson Station, effecting a junction at
the latter place on the 20th with Chalmers, who had
about seven hundred and fifty men of Mabry's Brigade.
The next day Forrest established his headquarters at
Jackson,
where Colonel Rucker, haying reported for
duty, was reassigned to the command of his brigade,*
which thereupon was reported again to General Chal-
mers as divisional commander ; whereupon, he was
directed to move his division to McLemoresville, some
ten miles west of Huntingdon.
Thursday, 2jth. Buford's Division, with Morton's
Battery and two twenty-pounder Parrott guns which
had been brought up from Mobile for this expedition,
moved from Huntingdon to Paristwenty-four miles.
Friday, 28th.Continuing his march Buford arrived
at Paris Landing, on the west bank of Tennessee River,
just below the mouth of Big Sandy River, late that
afternoon. After a careful reconnoissance, he estab-
lished Bell's Brigade, with a, section of Morton's Bat-
tery, at Paris Landing; while Lyon, with his brigade
and the twenty-pounder Parrotts, was put in position at
Fort Heiman, some five miles below, and the other sec-
tion of Morton's Battery, under Lieutenant Brown, was
posted some six hundred yards north of Lyon, with
Which had' been commanded by Colonel Kelley during Rucker's absence.
The latter -was wounded at Harrisburijr.
OCTOBEE, 1864.
495
orders not to disturb any transports or gunboats until
the batteries were thoroughly prepared for action, nor
then to fire until such steamer or steamers should have
passed into the reach of the river between the batteries.
The batteries were in position and ready for action
by a little after nightfall. How anxious were the gun-
ners to see a steamer pass, in order to have an oppor-
tunity to try their skill. By and by, four transports
were seen coming down the river. Each man was now
at his place ready for the fray, when General Buford,
coming up, said
:
Keep quiet, men^ keep quiet, don't fire a gun. These are empty
boats going down after more supplies for Sherman's army. I want a
loaded boat, a richer prize. Just wait until one comes up the river and
then you may take her in if you can.
On sped the steamers, unmolested, and soon passed
out of sight, without knowing any thing about the lurk-
ing danger. All was now quiet, and remained so for
the rest of the night.
Satia-day, zgth.Daylight found Buford's Batteries
well masked, and his men still lying in wait for the up-
coming steamer. Finally, about half-past eight a. m.,
the long-looked-for hove in sight. It was the transport
steamer Mazeppa, No.
55,
heavily ladenwith a barge
in tow. "See how beautifully the blue smoke curls as
she rounds the bend." At nine she passed the lower
battery at Fort Heiman. Brown's section of Morton's
guns was immediately opened upon her, followed
promptly by the heavy Parrotts, commanded by Lieuten-
ant W. O. Hunter, and with such effect that, her ma-
chinery being speedily disabled, she became unmanage-
able., and drifting to the opposite shore, was deserted by
her crew.
490 IJ. II. Ha.XCOCK's DlAKY.
A daring feat was here performed by Claib West, of
Company G, Second Tennessee. Getting on a slab,
and usinof a chunk for a seat, he crossed the Tennessee
by the aid of a paddle which he had made with his
knife (in anticipation of this trip), and was lifted on
board by the captain, who had remained with his boat;
and' thus West was the first Confederate who boarded
the Mazeppa. The captain, by order of West, imme-
diately crossed to the west bank in a yawl, in which
General Buford,* with a party of men, at once repaired
to the Mazeppa, and taking possession, she was soon
broueht across to the west bank of the river. She
proved to be heavily freighted with flour, hard bread,
blankets, shoes, clothing, axes, and other military stores,
and by five p. m. the greater part of these were safely
discharged upon the bank of the river.
At this juncture, however, three Federal gunboats
came upon the scene, and taking position out of range
of our guns, shelled the landing and the Mazeppa with
such vigor and precision that Buford found it expedient
to burn the steamer, and address himself at once to the
security and removal of the stores already landed. Set-
ting the Mazeppa on fire, she was soon consumed, and
shortly after sundown the gunboats withdrew down the
Tennessee. Thus left in possession ot the field, our
division worked all that night in hauling the captured
supplies to a place of safety, with wagons and teams
mainly impressed for the service from the neighborhood.
On hoar.lin;,^ the steamer and seeing thai West had a demijohn, Buford
called nut,
"
fhe supplies for the soldiers but the brandy for the Geiwral.''^ At
this away went Claib with tlie demijoha and I3urord after him. The former,
however, soon succeeded in getting out of sight of the latter by dodging among
the cabins, and as soon as he iiad iilled his canteen he handed the demijohn over
to the General.
October, 1804. 497
Siniday, jof/i. The Second Tennessee was camped
in a very nice wood, about one mile and a half or two
miles from the river, on the north side of the Paris
road. Our men were still hauling the supplies, which
had been taken from the Mazeppa the day before, back
to our camp.
"Now, boys, if you will look at the good shoes, blankets, and
clothing lying in heajos over our camp this morning, I think that you
will decide that Buford's head was level when he would not allow our
artillery to open on those empty boats which passed clown night before
last, for at least one of them might have passed our batteries and
stopped the loaded boat from coming into danger."
"We are much obliged to Uncle Abe for the supplies that he sent
to us by the Mazeppa."
"
Perhaps we had better return thanks to General Buford for mak-
ing the requisition, and to Captain Morton for enforcing it."
"
Well, well, so 2ve get the supplies we will have no quarrel about
7vho gets the thanks."
Early in the morning another transport, the Anna,
from above, passing Paris Landing, unaware of the
snare in her path, drew the fire of Morton's section of
three-inch rifles there; the heavy Parrotts next opened;
but Buford. anxious to capture the boat uninjured, if
possible, galloping to the bank, ordered her to come to.
Promptly replying that he would do so, the pilot ringing
his siornal-bell to that effect, Buford directed the firing-
to cease. The pilot then cried out that he would round
to at the lower landing, but really kept on his course.
Speedily apprehending perfidy, Buford ordered the bat-
teries to reopen ; nevertheless, the i\nna made good
her escape from under fire, though well riddled and
badly damaged.
Several hours later the gunboat Undine came in sight,
also from above, conveying the transport Venus, with
two barges attached. Permitted to pass by a short dis-
32
tance, the upper battery was turned upon the gunboat,
which then engaged the Confederates with spirit lor
nearly an hour, during which Bell's sharp-shooters were
so actively employed that, under the effect of the three-
inch artillery and Confederate riflemen, presently dropped
down the river in contact with the battery at Fort Heiman,
which was speedily found too formidable to attempt to
pass.
A short time previous to this. Colonel Barteau had
received orders to move his regiment from camp to
Paris Landing. On arriving at that place a portion of
our regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, was
sent down the river. Reaching a point some eight hun-
dred yards below the landing, and throwing his men
into line, Morton gave the famous command,
"
Dismount,
and prepare, on foot, to fight a gunboat." He then
deployed his men into line, several paces apart, along
the bank of the river, to watch the maneuvering of the
gunboat, which had withdrawn, with the* Venus, above
and behind the bend of the river, from which position it
began a noisy shelling of the upper battery, and also
the wood in which the Second Tennessee was posted,*
while at the same time repairing damages in the hull
"'
You have now arrived at the time and place, my dear reader, where the
career of the writer as a soldier was brought to a close. As the gunboat at the
time of the shelling above named was about one mile below us, and consequently
out of range, we were now engaged with small arms just at that time. In order
to protect myself, as I thought, from the shells that were flying through the tim-
ber, I took a seat on the ground (facing the river) just above a large tree. Soon
after which a shell, passing only a few paces in front of me, fell and exploded
some thirty or forty yards above, a piece of which, flying back, struck me just
at the upper extremity of my right thigh, cut oft' the end of my backbone and
lodged below my left hip, producing a severe, and our surgeon thought, a mor-
tal wound. By my request B. A. High went after Dr.
J.
M. Hughes, our sur-
geon, while some of the boys carried me back toward our horses. After being
examined by our surgeon I was carried on a blanket by six of my comrades back
to meet an ambulance, which Burt Willard had been sent to order up. The
t
October, 1864. 499
and steam-pipe. During this time, another transport,
the
J.
W. Cheeseman, coming down stream, was speedily-
brought to, disabled in her machinery by the artillery at
Paris Landing.
It was now about noon, and General Chalmers had
just arrived with Rucker's Brigade and four guns (two
of Rice's and two of Walton's), leaving Mabry's Bri-
gade and Thrall's Battery at Paris.
Being informed of the situation of affairs by Colonel
Bell and Captain Morton, Chalmers ordered Colonel
Rucker, who had, meanwhile, made a personal recon-
noissance to the immediate vicinity of the Undine and
Venus, and returning, reported the way practicable for
artillery, to take the section of Walton's ten-pounder
Parrot guns, supported by the old Forrest Regiment,
boys bowed to the passing shells many times as they were carrying me oft,
though none of them were hurt.
Willard found an ambulance perhaps over a mile from the river, but the
driver refused to go any nearer. Drawing his revolver, Willard soon made that
driver believe that he was in more danger standing there than in driving toward
those shells coming from the gunboat, therefore he made those mules move at a
lively gait until he met the boys who were carrying me. I was then placed in
the ambulance and taken to a house two and a half miles from the river, where
our surgeons cut out the piece of shell (it weighs eight and a half ounces) late
that afternoon.
On November ist I was sent to Mr. E.
J.
McFarland's, on the Paris road,
ten miles from Paris Landing, where I remained seven months. B. D. Ewing
(Company C) remained with me. He proved to be a good and faithful nurse,
for which I am yet under many, many obligations to him.
I thus fell in the hands of strangers, though they proved to be good friends.
I could not have asked better treatment of a brother than I received from Mr.
McFarland, or from sisters than from Mrs. McFarland and her sister (the
Widow McCormack) who was living with her at the time. I regret to say that
Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are both dead. Mrs. McCormack was happily mar-
ried to one Mr. Gus Sidebottom in 1867 or '68, and when last heard from was
living in Paris, West Tennessee. How oft did she cheer me up during my
lonely hours of suffering, not only by her presence and good company but also
by her sweet music, both vocal and instrumental! I am under many obliga-
tions, also, to Dr. Weldon for treating my case as best he could free of charge.
Notwithstanding I was not able to sit up when the war closed, though believ-
under Colonel Kelly, and Fifteenth Tennessee, and
attack as quickly as possible. Dismounting", and taking
a position under cover of the bushes, below the gun-
boat. Colonel Kelly, opening a rapid fire, both upon the
Venus and at the port-holes of the Undine with his
rifles, attracted the attention of the enemy, while the
artillery was moved up by hand into position, from
which a vigorous fire was promptly opened, and main-
tained with such precision that the Venus soon surren-
dered to Colonel Kelly, while the Undine was driven
to the opposite shore, in spite of her eight twenty-four-
pounder Howitzers. One shot striking the bow, passed
throuorh from stem to stern, and she had been forced to
close her port-holes from the effects of sharp-shooters.
Her officers and men not killed or wounded then es-
caped ashore. Colonel Kelly, boarding the Venus with
two companies, and crossing over, took possession of
the Undine, raised steam, and carried both gunboat and
transport to Paris Landing.
ing that I could be moved home without serious injury, and having no money
to pay my way, I requested Ewing to go liome and inform my brother, B. A.
Hancoclc, that I was still living, and request him to come after me. Accord-
ingly, Ewing went home, and soon after my brother came for me. Leaving
Mr. McFarland's on the 28th of May, 1865, I was hauled on a cot in a wagon
to the river, thence up the Tennessee by boat to Johnsonville, thence by rail to
Nashville, and thence by wagon again until met by Mr. John F. Weedan, with
a bed in his carriage, in which I was brought to my brother's, near Auburn,
Cannon County, Tennesssee, arriving on the 3d day of June.
Believing that there were loose pieces of bone in my wound that ought to be
and would have to be taken out before I could ever recover I sent for Doctor
Avant, of Murfreesboro. On the 2d of August,
1865,
he took out nine pieces
of my 'backbone, ranging in size from a grain of wheat to a grain of corn. On
the 2d of November he took out three more pieces and on the ilth of April,
1S66, one, and the last. After I had been confined to my bed for eighteen long-
months my friends, for the first time, began to have some hope of my recovery.
I was sufficiently recovered by the 30th of August, 1866, to start to school to
Professor L. D. Stroud, at the Auburn Academy; and, contrary to the expecta-
tions of all who saw me, I finally fully recovered from my wound.
October, 18G4. 501
During this time another gunboat, descending the
stream at the sound of the conflict, came to anchor about
a mile and a haH' abovê Brigro-s'
section of Rice's Bat-
tery, which Chalmers had established several hundred
yards south of the position that Morton's guns had held,
and began a vigorous shelling of the Confederate posi-
tion. Briggs' pieces being too far from the gunboat for
execution, Chalmers directed them to be moved up to
shorter range. Securing a good position, Lieutenant
Briggs forced his adversary to weigh anchor and with-
draw up the river.
The Cheeseman had a small freight of commissary
stores, including coffee, candies, and nuts, and a quan-
tity of furniture.* Finding that she was too badly
damaged for use, she was burned, after being unloaded.
Finding that the Undine and Venus were not injured
materially, either in hull or machinery, mechanics,
gleaned from the command, as well as those on ihe
Venus, were set to v/ork to place them in serviceable
condition. A detachment of infantry had been on the
Venus, ten of whom were killed or wounded, and an
officer and ten men captured. The barges, being emp-
ty, were destroyed.
The day's work now being closed, Colonel Barteau
moved the Second Tennessee back to their camp.
The furniture, together will) such supplies as could not be carried away by-
Forrest's command, for want of transportation, was distributed among the citi-
zens of the vicinity.
Volume II
The following account of the movements of Forrest's Cavalry, as
well as the Second Tennessee, from Paris Landing (where I was
wounded) to Florence, Alabama, I take from Manuscript Notes of
Colonel Barteau and "Campaigns of General Forrest"
General Forrest, coming upon the ground on the morning of the

31st, with his habitual energy urged forward the pre])arations for mov-
ing upon Johnsonville. Crews and officers were detailed from the
command for the LTndine and Venus, upon both of which the Confed-
erate flag was now floating, to the great delight of the men.
Captain Gracy, of the Third Kentucky, commanded the Undine,
and Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Dawson the Venus, while upon the
latter the two twenty-pounder Parrotts were placed as armament; and
that afternoon General Forrest made a "trial trip" with his fleet as far
as Fort Heiman, to see that all was in efficient service; and stopping
there long enough to take on board the Venus a quantity of shoes,
blankets and hard bread, which had been secured from the Mazeppa,
he moved back to Paris Landing, satisfied that both boats were in ser-
viceable condition, and orders were given for a general movement on
the following morning. Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson, placed in com-
mand of the fleet, was instructed to move slowly up the river, as soon
as the cavalry and artillery had taken up their line of march along the
bank, so that he might keep his steamers under cover of the batteries.
Chalmers' Division, being in advance, was to be kept as close to the
river as possible, to shield the steamers from an attack from above,
while Buford, following Chalmers, was to cover them from any gun-
boats which might come from the direction of Paducah.
At noon on the ist of November, all were in motion, as directed,
but a steady rain began to fall, and the roads, naturally rough and
through a rugged country, became slippery and difficult. That night
the Confederates encamped just south of the ruins of the railroad
bridge over the Tennessee River, and the steamers were anchored
(503)
504 Iv. R. Haxcouk's Diary.
under the shelter of the field batteries ashore. A hard rain through
the night, making the roads v.orse even than before, caused the troops
to move slowly, and the fleet unfortunately steamed ahead of the sup-
porting land batteries until at a sudden bend in the river, above Da-
vidson's Ferry, they were brought into the immediate presence of
three Federal gunboats, when an immediate animated collision ensued.
The Venus, soon receiving a shot among her machinery and her tillei-
rope being cut, became unmanageable, so that Colonel Dawson was
obliged to run her ashore, and as the Undine, overmatched, fell back,
he, with his crew, abandoned the Venus under a hot fire. She was
then recaptured by the enemy with her armament (the two twenty-
pounder Parrotts) and the stores that had been taken from the A'la-
zeppa.
In tlie meantime Chalmers threw his artillery into position at
Davidson's Ferry in time to make an effective diversion in favor of the
Undine, and the enemy, forced to forego their prey, bore off, taking
the Venus in tow. After this untoward affair, resuming the march,
the head of the Confederate column encamped that evening a mile
below Reynoldsburg.
Mabry, who had been directed several days previously to establish
himself with Thrall's Battery and his brigade on the river above John-
sonville, was now ordered to take position as nearly opposite to John,
sonville as possible the next morning, keeping carefully out of sight of
the enemy. Meanwhile, some light skirmishing occurred with several
gunboats that were now hemmed in between Mabry on the south and
Buford on the north, though without substantial results, and thus
stood matters on the morning of the 3d, when five heavily-armed gun-
boats appearing from below engaged in a sharp skirmish with our
batteries, in the course of which shells were thrown quite three miles,
from thirty-two-pounders, among the Confederates and their horses,
with great din and uproar as they crashed through the dense, lofty
forest trees of the country, but happily without harm.* For a time
' "
Before day on the morning of the 3d of November, an amusing incident
occurred with the regiment as we were encamped on tlie l)ank of the river.
Five gunlioats came up and seeing our camp-fire commenced a furious shelling,
which entirely took us by surprise. A regiment, being mostly new recruits,
all 'stampeded' in hot haste, while my men engaged themselves in picking up
the blankets, saddles, wearing apparel, etc., wliich they Left. The next day
the new recruits claimed their property, but were soon put to shame by jeers
and laughter. They snou were unwilling even to own that anything we had
belonged to them."Manuscript Notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau.
"A good maay of our boys laid down their long guns and picked up the
The Johnsonyille Expedition. 505
the Undine took part in tlie conflict, and also two of the gunboats from
Johnsonville, but the former having been struck as many as three
times and being in close range of the gunboats, both from above and
below, her crevi^ hurriedly turning the bow of their vessel to the bank,
set her on fire and made off for their horses as fast as they could
scamper, fonder of the trooper's saddle than ever before. And thus
terminated the short-lived operations of "Forrest's Cavalry Afloat."
By nightfall Forrest had concentrated his forces along the west
bank of the Tennessee, opposite johnsonville. This bank, from which
he expected to operate, is abrupt near the river about twenty feet above
the level of the water, and descends as it recedes toward the west.
It was thickly covered with heavy timber except immediately in front
of t!ie depot, where the trees had been felled for some distance rear-
ward to give range for their guns and prevent any hostile approach
under their cover. Forrest was satisfied, after having made a close
reconnoissance, that if he could get his guns in certain positions which
he had selected he might readily destroy not only the depot and vast
accumulation of supplies there collected, but also the gunboats and
transports then at the landing.
General Lyon was ordered to take Thrall's Battery (twelve-pounder
howitzers), then near at hand, and establish it as near to the river bank
as practicable, immediately opposite to the upper or southern part of
the landing. Losing no time moving Thrall's guns as near to the de-
sired point with horses as he might without risk of discovery, Lyon
then pushed his pieces some three hundred yards nearer the river by
hand and to within easy range of the steamers and gunboats. At the
pomt thus secured the river bank fell off rapidly westward and formed
a natural rampart, behind which Lyon sunk chambers for his guns and
cut embrasures through the solid natural parapet in his front. The
short Enfield rifles that this new regiment had left. A few days after tliis an
order came from headquarters demanding the Second Tennessee to give up tlie
guns belonging to this regiment. However, when tlie matter was explained to
General Buford as to how we came in possession of the guns which had be-
longed to these men, he would not allow the order to be enforced, but allowed
our boys to keep the guns."B. A. High's \'erbal Report.
"A beef had been slaughtered but not issued to the men when the shelling
commenced. It had been left not far from the camp. When this beef was re-
vealed to one of the stampeders by a flash of lightning, he exclaimed, "There,
by G
d,
a shell has split a horse ivide open.'' He must have thought that that
^vas a wonderful shellto split a horse open and skin him at the same time."
D. B. Willard's Verbal Report.

5 06 E. E. Hancock's Diary.
men worked all night and with such alacrity that the battery was ready
by eight a. m. on the 4th, completely shielded from the gunboats, but
to some extent open to a plunging fire from the redoubt.
Colonel Rucker was likewise directed to establish Morton's Battery
just opposite Johnsonville, and to place Brigg's section of Rice's Bat-
tery in position four hundred yards to the northward and the other one
mile and a half below to protect the crossing of a shallow bar. Mor-
ton's guns were sunk, like Thrall's, but the other sections were not so
that they might be able to give chase to any steamer which should
attempt to pass below or get by. Morton's guns had to be lifted and
carried over the fallen timber for some distance before placing them
in their assigned positions. Seeing that daylight would be upon them>
before their work could be completed, Lyon and Rucker had con-
trived artificial screens of beech bushes which skillfully intermingled
with those already growing along the river bank, effectually masked
their working parties. Meanwhile, Buford on the left^ or northward,
and Chalmers on the right, held their men carefully concealed in the
timber or behind logs and in the ravines, in supporting distance of the
batteries.
By noon all was ready on the Confederate side. Forrest then hav-
ing the watches of his several subordinate commanders compared and
set uniformly, ordered that his batteries should open fire simultaneously
and precisely at 2 p. m.
In the interval the gunboats from below had withdrawn out of
sight; the three at Johnsonville were quietly moored at the landing, but
with steam up and their upper decks covered with their officers and
crew, the latter either busy scrubbing or washing their clothes. Strag-
gling troops were sauntering about over the hillside or pacing the
parapet of the redoubt; laborers were at work landing stores from
transports and barges; passengers lounged upon the decks of the-
transports, smoking or chatting, and some ladies were to be seen com'
ing down the bank, evidently in anticipation of an early departure oni
*"The Second Tennessee was not only with Buforcl here, but moved with
his (our) division from here
by
the way of Corintli, Iul<a and Cherokee to
Florence. So let it be understood that when I mention Buford's Division I in-
clude the Second Tennessee. At Johnsonville and all along the expedition the
regiment (Second Tennessee) did its usual duty and aided as far as directed in
capturing gunboats and transports. The greatest service was of course ren-
dered by the artillery, and in many cases the cavalry had but little to do."Man-
uscript Notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau.
The Johnsonville Expedition. 507
some of the steamers, several of which were getting up steam. It
Avas apparent that there was not the least suspicion of the impend-
ing tempest, and that the Federals must imagine the Confederates had
withdrawn from thei-r neighborhood without the ability of doing them
any harm. Meanwhile, General Forrest anxiously surveyed the scene
with his glasses until the moment for action had come. Then aiming
with his own eye and hand a piece in Morton's Battery, at the ap-
pointed instant ten pieces carefully trained upon the gunboats at the
landing were discharged with such harmony that it could not be dis-
cerned there was more than one reportone heavy gun. At the mo-
ment several gunboats were just beginning to swing out into the stream
as if for a cruise. Immediately steam and smoke poured forth from
the boats and at every aperture from one of them, while her crew were
seen jumping into the river nearest the shore and svrimming for the
landing, showing that her steam apparatus was mortally hurt. Another
of the gunboats turned toward the landing, and the ladies just ap-
proaching the transports rushed wildly up the hillside toward the fort.
Only one of the gunboats returned the fire, but the redoubt burst
forth with a storm of shell, thrown with much precision. At the third
discharge, however, of the Confederates' battery, the boiler of one of
the gunboats not in action was evidently perforated, for the agonizing
screams of the wounded and scalded were plainly heard across the
broad river, but the Confederates plied their artillery with unabated
energy, and the sharp-shooters joining in, their unerring rifles kept up a
fierce, deadly fire at the ports of the gunboats, especially the one that
gave battle. The conflict had now been maintained for an hour, and
the guns of the redoubt, soon getting the range, threw their shells so
accurately that several were dropped into the sunken gun-chambers,
but without further harm than breaking the rammers in the hands of
the gunners in two instances, for they sunk so deep before they ex-
ploded that they did no injury. The two disabled gunboats were now
wrapped in flames, and the commander of the third, after a stout con-
test, unable to endure it any longer, ran her ashore, when she was im-
mediately deserted by her crew, as the other two had been.
Orders were now given to turn Morton's guns upon the redoubt and
right speedily they were exploding their shells within its precincts,
though a mile distant and elevated at least eighty feet above their level.
By this time the burning gunboats having drifted against some loaded
barges, these were quickly in flames, and Thrall's guns being turned
upon two transports and some barges lying somewhat above the land-
ing, soon succeeded in setting them ablaze; then their cables burning,
508 R. R. Ha^s^cock's Diary.
they went adrift and were carried by the current down stream in con-
tact with another transport to which the fire was communicated, and
thence spread in a little while under the influence of a brisk down-
stream breeze to the other transports and barges at the landing. It
was four p. m., and every gunboat, transport and barge was on fire.
Thus far, as successful as could be hoped, Forrest directed his bat-
teries to the main work in handthe destruction of the warehouses
and supplies ashore. Discovering a large pile of hay, a few det^tly-
exploded shells kindled it into a consuming fire that soon spread to vast
heaps of corn and bacon adjoining. And descrying farther up the
slope a large pile of barrels under tarpaulins, suspecting that they con-
tained spirits, Briggs' section, armed with James rifles, was directed to
be brought to bear upon them, using percussion primers (captured
from the Federals at Brice's Cross Roads). A few well-aimed shells
were thrown with the happiest effect, for a blue blaze, unmistakably
alcoholic, was quickly seen to dart from under the tarpaulins. At
this a loud shout burst from the Confederates, though many doubtless
were athirst for that which they saw swallowed up by the ravening fire.
Soon the barrels began to burst with loud explosions, and the burning
liquid ran in torrents of livid flame down the hillside, spreading a
flame in its course toward the river and filling the air with the blended
yet distinct fumes of burning spirits, sugar, coffee and meat. Mean-
wliile, all the warehouses and buildings were ignited and the work of
destruction efl'ectually accomplished; therefore, stopping the fire of his
artillery, Forrest directed the main part of the cavalry to move rear-
ward several miles to where his train was established and feed their
horses. And after dark all the artillery except Briggs' section were
likewise withdrawn to the same pointRucker's Brigade being left as
a support to the artillery section and to picket the river. The night
was made almost as luminous by the conflagration as the day.
Riding back to the river early on the morning of the 5th, Forrest
had the satisfaction to see that naught remained opposite of the opu-
lent depot of yesterday but the redoubt, gloomily surmounting and
guarding with its wide-mouthed guns broad heaps of ashes and charred,
smoking debris. Nothing was left unconsumed; neither gunboat,
transport nor barge had escaped, and naught now remained of the large
piles of stores that at noon of the day before had covered several
acres of the surrounding slope.
Briggs' guns were now ordered to be withdrawn, but as this was
being done a regiment of negroes emerging from their covert, dis-
played themselves upon the opposite bank in amusing, irate antics.
The Johnsonvjlle Expeditiox 509
Thereupon the section was halted and turned upon the absurdly frantic
negroes, while Rucker's veterans, bringing their far-reaching rifles
down upon them, one volley and a salvo speedily dispersed the howl-
ing, capering crowd, who scampered away in the wildest confusion,
but a number were left dead or wounded upon the river bank. This
dreAv a few shells from the redoubt, but the Confederates moving off
unharmed rejoined their companions.
As results of this happily-conceived and well-executed operation,
it remains to recount the destruction at Johnsonville of three gunboats,
eleven transports and some eighteen barges, and of buildings, quarter-
master's and commissary's supplies, according to the Federal estimate,
to the value of over eight millions of dollars. Two transports, one
gunboat and three barges had been captured and destroyed previously.
This had been accomplished with the loss of the two twenty-pounder
Parrotts, which fell into the hands of the enemy with the transport
Venus upon her recapture, and two men were killed and four wounded.
General Forrest had just received orders from General Beauregard,
directing him to repair with his entire command to Middle Tennessee
and form a junction with General Hood, between Florence and Co-
lumbia, and with that object he now took the field, marching under a
hard, chilly rain* some twenty miles that afternoon in the direction of
Perryville, where he hoped to effect the passage of the Tennessee
River. In spite of the fact that the roads were extremely deep with
mud, the command reached Perryville by the afternoon of the 6th.
Two yawls were brought up on wagons from the Undine, and with
these the crossing began that night and continued during the yth, until
about four hundred of Rucker's Brigade had been crossed.
Meanwhile, some pontoons came up, and an effort was made to
construct a raft with them that would carry the wagons; a srnall, frail
flat also had been built ; but this and the raft proved to be unable to
stand the driftwood with which the rapid current of the stream was
flooded; and the river was still rising at the rate of two feet in twenty-
four hours. Therefore, directing Rucker to move forward to Mount
Pleasant to effect a junction with General Hood, Forrest, on the morn-
ing of the 8th, determined to abandon the effort to cross the river at
Perryville, and push forward to Florence. Chalmers was directed to
move directly upon luka by the river roads in that direction, which
'"Severe cold weather was now upon us, yet, thanks to our General, we had
drawn from the Federal stores an abundant supply of warm clothing."Manu-
script Notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau.
were found as bad as possible. Buford marched with his division by-
way of Corinth. Artillery moved with both divisions.
The rain still poured down in torrents as the Confederates pressed
on over the clay hills of the country, and through the deep mud and
mire, all weary and constantly wet to the skin; and one day so nearly
impassable were the roads that, working from sunrise until after night,
Morton's Battery was only transported two miles and a half. Unable
to get fresh horses, the artillery teams were increased from twelve to
sixteen horses to a gun
;
and oxen being mipressed, eight of them
were attached to a piece, after which there was less difficulty. Chal-
mers finally reached luka with a part of Rucker's Brigade and the
Fifth Mississippi, on the 13th; Mabry's Brigade having been detached,
imder order from General Forrest the day before, to garrison the de|>ot
at Corinth. Buford's Division arrived at luka the 14th.* On the
1 6th, both divisions were ordered to move up to Florence, where
Chalmers arrived on the afternoon of the 17th, having crossed the
Tennessee on a pontoon bridge, constructed for General Hood's army;
and his command, moving out, encamped two miles north of the town.
Buford's Division did not cross until the morning of the iSth.f
General Flood's army was found encamped on both sides of the
river, and now busily engaged preparing for an advance movement.
"The Army of the Tennessee" was divided into three corps
(Stewart's, Cheatham's, and Lee's), consisting of
An eft'eclive total of infantry 25,000
An effective total of artillery 2,000
Jackson's Division of cavalry 2,000
Total 29,000
*
Manuscript Notes of Colonel Barteau.
t
By my request, Lieutenant Geo. F. Hager (Company G) very kindly agreed
to write up the history of the Second Tennessee from here to the close of the war
;
but he has been so pressed with his own business that he has not had time to
comply with said request. This I exceedingly regret. He is so much better
prepared to do the work, from the fact that he was with the regiment up to the
surrender. Unfortunately, neither our Colonel nor Lieutenant-Colonel made
any official report of the Hood Campaign.
I have learned, moreover, through General Marcus
J.
Wright, that if Gen-
eral Bell made any official report of the movements of our brigade, during said
campaign, it cannot be found in the Confederate Archives at Washington. I
shall proceed, however, and do the best that I can with the data which I have
before medepending upon Forrest's Campaigns for the movements of Forrest's
Cavalry in general, and upon my surviving comrades for the part taken by the
Second Tennessee, from this to the close of the war.
Tke Hood Campaign. Ml
To this force was now added Forrest's Cavalry, about three thou-
sand effectives, swelling the Confederate army about to take the field
in Middle Tennessee to thirty-two thousand men, of which five thou-
sand were cavalry; and over these General Forrest was placed in chief
command, on the 17th. He now had six small brigades, as follows:
Biffle's Demi-brigade (transferred from Jackson's Division) and
Hacker's Brigade, under Chalmers
;
Bell's and Crossland's Brigades,
under Buford ; and Armstrong's and Ross' Brigades, under Jackson.
Huey's Battalion, about one hundred and fifty men, recently recruited
in Kentucky, was, about this time, added to Crossland's Kentucky
Brigade.
Meanwhile, Jackson's Division was in advance on the Lawrence-
burg road, about twelve miles from Florence; and, in order to procure
forage for their horses, Chalmers and Buford moved in the same
direction on the 19th. On reaching Butler's Creek, Buford found that
a brigade of Federal foragers was also in that vicinity. Throwing out
Crossland's Brigade, he soon came in collision with the enemy, who
made spirited contest ; but it so happened that General Armstrong, of
Jackson's Division, was in the same field, in quest of forage likewise,
and, hearing the firing and making for the scene, suddenly fell upon
the Federal right flank. Thus brought between two fires, the enemy
fled precipitately across Shoal Creek, but the gallant Colonel Cross-
land was once more severely wounded. Tom Sadler (Second Tennes-
see) was also wounded. Chalmers and Buford camped near Prewett's
Mill, where they rested on the 20th.
The general advance having commenced, on the 21st, Bififle's Bri-
gade moving on the left flank, took the Waynesboro road; while Chal-
mers, with Rucker's Brigade, moved in front of Hood's infantry, on
what is known as the Middle or Henryville road. Buford and Jack-
son moving on the right flank, in the direction of Pulaski, bivouacked
near Lawrenceburg ; at which place they were confronted, on the
morning of the 2 2d, by a Federal calvary force, estimated by scouts
at four thousand strong. Driving in the enemy's skirmishers, Buford
and Jackson arranged for an attack, that afternoon, upon the place.
Immediately deploying their men in battle arraywith Russell's
Regiment and the Second Tennessee held in reserveBuford moved
upon the west and north of Lawrenceburg, while Jackson, at the same
time, approached the town from the south, and an animated skirmish
began with the enemy, found in line of battle on the road to Pulaski.
However, the Federals, soon giving way, rapidly withdrew toward
512 K. i;. Haxcock's Diary.
Pulaski, leaving their forage in the hands of the Confederates, wha
bivouacked near by.
Pursuing in the direction of Pulaski, Jackson bivouacked within
eight miles of that place on the night of the 23d, while Buford was on
another road to the left of Jackson. On learning that the Federals
were falling back toward Columbia. Buford and Jackson, turning
nearly northward, on the morning of the 24th, moved in the direction
of Campbellville.
After halting during the 2 2d, at West Point, to await the arrival of
the infantry, Chalmers, moving on the 23d toward Mount Pleasant,
struck a Federal calvary force about three p. m., which, being put to
flight, retreated upon a Federal brigade of cavalry encamped a few
miles to the rear on the Mount Pleasant road. Chalmers soon found
himself confronted by a force greatly his superior in number. Gen-
eral Forrest, coming upon the scene, ordered Chalmers to advance and
engage the enemy, sending Kelly with the old Forrest Regiment
around the Federal left flank to gain their rear, if possible, while he
[Forrest], leading his escort, some eighty strong, rapidly around the
Federal flank, struck the enemy's rear, put a portion of the brigade to-
flight, killed and wounded about thirty, captured sixty, and then fired
upon other detachments from ambush as Chalmers drove them by his
position. It was now after nightfall, and Forrest moved his whole
force (his escort and Rucker's Brigade) back to the Federal encamp-
ment, where he found an abundant supply of forage and rations aban-
doned by the enemy. In the engagements of this afternoon Rucker's
losses and those of the escort were five killed and thirty wounded
;
that of the enemy quite four times that number, exclusive of some
sixty prisoners.
About two o'clock a. m. on the 24th, Rucker was again in the sad-
dle with his brigade, and moving rapidly by way of Mount Pleasant,
about daylight he overtook the Federal rear near the house of Gen-
eral L. Polk, in the neighborhood of Columbia. Without making a
stout stand they were presently borne back upon their fortifications
and a large infantry force. This pursuit closed, however, with a gal-
lant charge upon the infantry pickets that cost the life of the gallant
Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Dawson.
In the meantime, on reaching Campbellville, about noon on the
24th, Buford found in his front about four thousand Federal cavalry
under General Hatch. Our General immediately attacked the enemy
with Bell's Brigade and Huey's Kentuckians, or less than one thou-
The Hood Campaign. 513
sand men, and maintained a vigorous combat until Jackson came up,
when both divisions, with a common aim though separate impulsion,
were thrown upon their enemy. The effect was the complete rout of
their adversary. In Buford's quarter of the field Newsom, charging
with the Nineteenth Tennessee, dispersed several regiments and cap-
tured more than one hundred prisoners; and Jackson's troops, press-
ing the advantage, captured as many more, with their horses and
equipments, four stands of colors, and sixty-five head of beef cattle.
It was now late, and Buford and Jackson bivouacked, Armstrong
at Lynnville, on the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, about fifteen
miles south of Columbia, and the other brigades somewhat short of
that place. They moved out early on the 25th in the direction of Co-
lumbia. D. B. Willard (Company C, Second Tennessee), who was
riding along a ridge in advance of Buford's Division, saw a line of
Federal cavalry drawn up in battle array across a hollow to his right.
He had, in fact, gone beyond the line before he discovered it. Turn-
ing, he moved quietly for a short distance, and then rapidly until he
met Buford. As soon as Willard reported what he had seen our Gen-
eral threw forward a heavy line of skirmishers, dismounted, with Wil-
lard to guide them to the enemy's position. At the first volley from
our boys the Federals gave way and fled in the wildest confusion.
The two divisions, then moving on, took position in the vicinity of
Columbia, Buford's right (Bell's Brigade) resting upon Duck River
and his left upon the Pulaski turnpike, and Jackson upon the Chapel
Hill turnpike. Having thus invested the place, Forrest awaited the
arrival of the infantry.
Columbia was now occupied with the Fourth
(12,000 strong) and'
the Twenty-third (10,000) Federal Army Corps and Wilson's Cavalry
(7,700),
with heavy bodies of skirmishers in position behind a heavy
line of rifle pits stretching around the town, about one mile and a.
half from it. From an elevated position, in rear of Chalmers, the
main body of the enemy were to be plainly seen, drawn up in three
lines of battle. Nevertheless, though Buford and Jackson pressed
their skirmishers back at several pomts on numerous occasions during
the 26th and 27th, and had seized and held portions of their
advance
line, from which they had been expelled, yet there was no disposition
manifested by the enemy to come to any serious engagement.
A line of sharp-shooters, who were posted in holes dug in the
ground for the purpose, was stretched across an old field a few hun-
dred yards in front of Bell's Brigade. When any of our boys would
33
go in range of this line of sharp-shooters a volley would be poured
forth from behind small mounds {made of dirt taken from the holes),
though not a Federal could be seen. While going around and inspect-
ing his line, General Forrest came to the position occupied by the
Second Tennessee (on the right of Bell's Brigade), and inquired of
Colonel Barteau, somewhat abruptly, why he had not moved up nearer
the enemy's position.
"
/'l^/^^;-6'," continued Forrest,
"/> the enemy V
Our colonel mildly replied, "Ride with me, General, and I will show
you where they are." General Buford rode with them. They had
not gone, far, however, before a volley from the Federal sharp- shoot-
ers, which luckily did no other harm only that of killing General Bu-
ford's horse, convinced Forrest that the enemy was not as i'ar oft' as
he had supposed.
Biffle came up with his demibrigade and reported to Chalmers on
the evening of the 26th.
Meanwhile, all of General Hood's infantry having come up by the
afternoon of the 27th, they relieved Forrest's Cavalry, which was then
redisposedChalmers at Webster's Mills, about ten miles south-west
of Columbia, Jackson at Fountain Creek, and Buford in the neighbor-
hood of Berlin, on the Lewisburg turnpike.
On the night of the 27th Forrest was ordered to attempt to throw
the cavalary to the north bank of Duck River, early the next morn-
ing, to cover the construction of the pontoon bridge for the passage
of the infantry. Accordingly, Buford was instructed to pass the
stream on the Lewisburg-Franklin turnpike, Jackson at Hall's Mill,
nine miles east of Columbia (and west of Buford), Chalmers at Hol-
land's Ford, two miles west of Jackson, while Forrest, with his escort
and Bififle's force, vvas to attempt a ford two miles west of Chalmers.
The enemy, however, had evacuated Columbia during the night
and taken up a strong position on the north side of Duck River. The
weather was cold and disagreeably wet. The fords of Duck River,
all greatly swollen and swift, their passage was not only tedious but
hazardous, for only the tallest horses could effect it without swimming.
Notwithstanding the enemy had disputed their passage, Forrest, Chal-
mers, and Jackson stood upon the north bank late that afternoon.
Buford, however, found that while a strong Federal cavalry force stood
upon a ridge a few hundred yards from the river, about twenty men
were posted in a small temporary fort on the immediate north bank,
so as to command the ford at which he had been instructed to cross.
Therefore it was necessary to dislodge the enemy from that fort before
The Ho<d Campaign. 515
be could effect a crossing. Accordingly Barteau was ordered to throw
a portion of the Second Tennessee to the north bank of the river for
that purpose. Logs were fastened together by means of ropes and
halter-reins, and thus a raft was soon constructed, upon which the
men were to cross. The Second Tennessee was now called upon to
perform a daring featto face a double danger that of being drowned
while attempting to cross that swollen, rapid stream upon such a frail
craft, as well as being killed by the enemy. It was thought that about
twelve would be a sufficient number of men to cross, from the fact
that they could be supported by those on the south bank. Not wish-
ing to make a detail in a case of this kind, our colonel called for vol-
unteers. Seeing that the boys were rather slow to volunteer, and not
teing willing to call upon his men to go where he was not willing to
share equally the danger with them, our noble and daring colonel
said, "I will go, for one." More than the requisite number, imme-
diately stepping forward, replied, "Colonel, you can remain on this
side; we will go." The raft was soon after shoved from the bank
with about twelve men upon it.* One rope broke, and it appeared
that the raft was about to part asunder in the midst of the stream.
Captain Sam Barkley ran down the river with a long pole, hoping to
be able to reach our boys with it and thus float the raft back to the
south bank. But. luckily, he found a canoe, into which he immedi-
ately got, and was soon in front of the raft, which was then fastened
to one end of the canoe, while Captain Barkley soon after chained
the other end to the north bank; and thus they were all safely landed,
some distance below the fort. By passing back up the river near the
water's edge our boys were protected from the enemy's fire by the
river bank, which they began to ascend on reaching a point near the
fort, when, at the same moment, those on the south bank raised a yell
and the Federals broke. Then leaping into their saddles the Second
Tennessee swam the river and gave chase, led by Colonel Barteau.
One of the Federals was killed and two or three captured, and thus
the way was opened for the division to cross without the loss of a man
on our side; though several of the boys got a ducking, and one of
Company CCoon Elkinswas thrown from his horse, and, perhaps,
would have been drowned had he not been helped out.
As it was now dark, and Buford had not yet learnedjthat the rest
of our cavalry had crossed, he decided that he would not cross his
*
Bransford Evving and Mike Lorance went from Company C. Wish I could
give the names of ail that gallant band.
516 E. Ii. Hancock's Diary.
division that night. Therefore Barteau was ordered to recross and
bivouac on the south bank of Duck River. Had our colonel kr.ovvn
when he first crossed the river that aid was so near at hand, he could
have had quite a lively time; for, while Armstrong pressed on after
the enemy northward, Jackson, turning eastward with Ross' Brigade,
struck the Federals, whom Barteau had driven from Buford's front,
capturing their field train, including ordnance wagons, a stand of reg-
irnental colors, and about eighty men with their horses. Meanwhile,
Chalmers, having moved toward the the north-east for some hours
after dark, was directed by General Forrest to halt and bivouac about
four miles from the river. Buford threw his division across by day-
light on the 29th, and followed the other divisions toward Franklin.
Chalmers and Jackson resumed the pressure upon the Federal cavalry
toward Hurt's Cross-Roads, before dawn, the first by a narrow country
road through the cedar thickets of that region, and the latter by the
Lewisburg-Franklin turnpike.
Meanwhile, the Federal commander, Schofield, had put his
infantry in motion toward Franklin by the way of Spring Hill.
Having thrown a pontoon bridge across Duck River last night,
about three miles east of Columbia,* Hood was now moving, with
Cheatham's and Stewart's Corps and one division of Lee's Corps, to
intercept the Federal column at Spring Hill. The remainder of Lee's
Corps was left to threaten an attack, and follow Schofield if he should
retire.*
In the meantime, Jackson, having come up with the Federal rear
near Rally Hill, engaged with animation and drove the enemy stead-
ily back in a series of well-contested combats. At the same time
Chalmers had V:)een engaged in some sharp brushes with the Federals
in his path. Buford havmg come up with his division, the whole Con-
federate cavalry were now assembled near Hurt's Cross-Roads, in the
immediate presence of a superior hostile force.
An immediate attack was then ordered and a sharp encounter re-
sulted, in which the enemy were borne steadily but doggedly rearward
as far as Mount Carmel, on the Lewisburg-Franklin road. The coun-
try, rocky and rugged, was thickly clad with cedars and difficult, of
course, for cavalry movements, so that for the most part the fighting
was on foot, which, however, was now Forrest's habitual tactics.
Armstrong's Brigade, all fighting admirably, had here an obstinate
*
Military Annals of Tennessee, page 105.
combat, and Buford's men, including the Second Tennessee, were
thrown into action with their accustomed vigor. Pressed back by
their eager, indomitqJ)le enemy, now mounted, the Federal cavalry
turned and stood at bay at several favoring positions, from which they
were driven only after most obstinate contests up to within five or six
miles of Franklin. Here, leaving several regiments in observation,
Forrest turned off abruptly and moved swiftly across the country
toward Spring Hill with the rest of his force.
Meeting a small cavalry force, it was at once brushed back upon a
large infantry command found in occupation of a long line of breast-
works extending around east and south of Spring Hill, while another
infantry column was known to be en route between that place and Co-
lumbia, on the turnpike. Every disposition was now made to attack
and check the infantry in movement, and some sharp skirmishing had
taken place when General Forrest received a dispatch from General
Hood directing him to attempt to hold the enemy in check at that
point until Cheatham's and Stewart's Corps, then near at hand, should
come up. The skirmishing, therefore, was continued with such effect
that the enemy withdrew all their pickets and outposts behind their
fortification, and about four o'clock p. i\i. , Forrest, dismounting his
whole force, disposed of it as if in menace of a general attack.
At length Cheatham's Corps of infantry came up, and Cleburne's
Division being advanced and formed in line on the left of Chalmers
and Buford, it was arranged that a serious joint attack should be made
upon the Federal position. Chalmers and Buford, however, were
nearly out of ammunition and the plan of attack was that after the onset
Cleburne should hold the ground gained until the rest of the troops
should come up. The attack was handsomely and successfully made,
for after a sliort though stubborn stand the enemy yielded the position
and fel! back upon a second line, which, however, was not a strong
one.
The Second Tennessee, led by Colonel Barteau, assisted by Lieu-
tenanant-Colonel Morton, did their full duty here as well as at all
other places where they had met the enemy since they had been mov-
ing in advance of Hood's army. Our colonel was slightly wounded
at Spring Hill, though not disabled. I regret that I am not able to
give the loss of the Second Tennessee during this day's fighting,
though Tump Polk (Company A, I believe) was among the number
killed. Captain B. H. Moore (Company G) was knocked down,
though not seriouslv hurt.
518 E. R. Hakcock's Diary.
It was now dark; Forrest's men, engaged in action since sunrise^,
had
exhausted their ammunition and were worn down from hard work,
without
intermission for the past week ; therefore they were withdrawn
to feed their horses and bivouac out of immediate contact with the en-
emy's
pickets, the infantry being left to hold the ground acquired.
About nine that night General Stewart's Corps came up to the im-
mediate
vicinity of Forrest's headquarters and these two officers rode
together to General Hood's headquarters, a mile distant. On the way
thither, however, Forrest was surprised to find that Cleburne's Division
had been withdrawn from the position in which he had supposed it
was to remain through the night and had gone into bivouac somewhat
remote from it, leaving no Confederate soldiers interposed across the
highway south of Spring Hill, and therefore throwing that road open
to the rear divisions of the Federal army. At the same time, also, a
dispatch
overtook him from Jackson, who had been thrown round with
his division across the turnpike northward of Spring Hill, reporting
that being overmatched and pressed back upon the road, he stood in
need of immediate aid. Buford and Chalmers having already ex-
pended sixty rounds of ammunition during, the day, were without a
cartridge. Forrest, therefore, hurried on to report the situation to the
General-in-Chief. General Hood seemed surprised that Cheatham's
Corps had not been held in position across the turnpike, declaring that
he had so ordered it expressly. Turning to General Stewart, he in-
quired whether he could not establish his corps in that position. There
was some immediate obstacle, and the Confederate General now asked
Forrest if he could not throw his cavalry upon the turnpike in time to
check the Federal retreat. The cavalry general replied: "That as
Chalmers and Buford were without ammunition their commands would
be inefficient, leaving him only Jackson's Division for the service. That,
luckily, had captured enough ammunition in its operations of the day
for present purposes. But he would do the best he could in the emer-
gency." General Hood then remarked that he would order his corps
commanders to furnish the requisite ammunition. But upon applica-
tion, it was found that neither Stewart nor Cheatham was able to sup-
ply it; their ammunition trains, as well as Forrest's, had failed to come
up. Returning to his own headquarters, Forrest found Jackson await-
ing him. After a short consultation, Jackson, engaging to establish
his division upon the road at Thom[)son's Station (about four miles
north of Spring Hill), and endeavor to hold the rearward column of
the enemy in check at that point, left at once with that object. Byr
midnight Jackson's guns began to be heard in an animated engage-
ment in the north, and a continuous uproar of musketry resounded
from that direction throughout the night, and never did so small a
force (less than 2,000) fight more tenaciously or stoutly than Jackson's
Division on this occasion. The force encountered (a heavy column of
infantry pressing on toward Franklin) was too powerful, however, for
Jackson's slender force. He was unable to do more than harass the
masses that forced their way by him during the night and to oblige
them to abandon a number of wagons, which he burned, while a con-
siderable number of the enemy were killed and captured, and one oj
his brigades (Ross') came upon and destroyed a train of cars near
Thompson's Station.
In his official report General Hood says that General Stewart was
furnished with a guide, and ordered to place his corps across the road
north of Spring Hill. In the dark and confusion he did not succeed
in getting the position desired. About midnight, ascertaining that
the enemy was moving in disorder, with artillery, wagons, and troops
intermixed, Hood sent instructions to General Cheatham to advance
a heavy line of skirmishers, still further to impede the retreat.
"This," continues Hood, "was not accomplished.
"The enemy continued to move along the road in hurry and con-
fusion nearly all the night. Thus was lost a great opportunity tor
striking him for which we had labored so longthe greatest this cam-
paign had offered, and one of the greatest during the war.
"Lieutenant-General S. D. Lee, left m front of the enemy at Co-
lumbia, was instructed to press him the moment he abandoned his po-
sition at that point. He did hot abandon his work until dark, show-
ing that his trains obstructed the road for fifteen miles during the day
and a great part of the night."
*
On the morning of the 30th, after procuring ammunition from Wal-
thall's Division, Chalmers was at once detached across west of Spring
Hill to the Carter's Creek turnpike to cover the left flank of the Con-
federate army, while the Kentucky Brigade of Buford's Division was
likewise detached to move with a similar object in connection with
Hood's right flank, on the Lewisburg-Franklin turnpike. At the same
time Forrest, with his escort and Bell's Brigade, moved directly in
front of the infantry toward Franklin. About six miles in advance of
Spring Hill he came up with Jackson, still hanging closely upon and
*See "Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," by ex-President
Davis, page
575.
020
E. R. Hancock's Diary,
harassing the Federal rear guard. Bell was then thrown forward to
take part, and a continuous skirmish resulted for some four miles, un-
til the enemy had withdrawn behind their lines in front, or south of
Franklin. After a careful reconnoisance, Forrest returned to meet
General Hood, whom he found at the head of his army three miles
south of Franklin about one p. m. The whole army halted, and no
movement occurred for at least one hour.
Franklin lies in a bend and on the south side of the Harpeth River,
on a gentle plateau. Immediately in front, or south of the town, a
strong line of breastworks extended across the throat of the horseshoe-
shaped bend in which Franklin is built.
General Hood was of the belief that the main Federal force was
already in rapid retreat, and that the apparent defensive preparations
were merely counterfeit, with the view of gaining time to secure that
retreat.
'i-
His determination, therefore, was to defeat it by immedi-
ately storming the place rather than to turn it. Accordingly, by four
p. M., the preparations for that ill-starred operation were completed.
As ordered, Forrest had formed Buford's Division, dismounted imme-
diately on the right of Stewart's Corps of infantry, filling the space be-
tween the Lewisburg turnpike and the Harpeth River, while Jackson's
Division was thrown across that stream to engage the Federal cavalry
on Buford's right. At the same time Chalmers' Division, including
Biffle's Demi-brigade, was on the extreme Confederate left.
Moving in line with the infantry, Buford soon came in collision with
a heavy cavalry force, but advancing steadily after an engagement of
more than half an hour, in which his men fought with their wonted
steadiness, their immediate adversary withdrew across the Harpeth.
While our division was advancing, as above named, the Second Ten-
nessee, fighting admirably and ever well led, made several successful
charges, in the last of which Colonel Barteau was slightly wounded in
the temple. The ball cut a piece from his hat, a thick felt hat, that
probably saved him from being killed or severely wounded. Captain
B. H. Moore was severely wounded in the leg. Of the part taken by
the Second Tennessee in the above action. Colonel Barteau says:
"Schofield was withdrawing. He had sent a part of his troops and a large
part of his train to the north side of the Harpeth, but discovering that Hood
was going to attack him, the Federal commander threw his men back into the
fortifications just in time to meet the onset. This the writer has recently learned
through a gentleman who had talketi with General Schofield about this affair
since the war closed.
The Hood Campaign.
'
521
"At Franklin we were on the right,* and Armstrong was on the
right of us. We took part, on foot, in several charges, with Arm-
strong, mounted, on our right, in the commencement of the engage
ment in front of the works."
Jackson having called for aid, Buford was ordered to oblique to the
right to his support. In the meantime, however, Jackson had gained
a footing which he was able to hold, and Buford withdrew a few hun-
dred yards up the river, where he fed his horses and remained for the
rest of the night.
Meanwhile, Chahners, on the left flank, drove in the skirmishers in
his front, and charging, forced a detachment to give up a stone wall
in advance and retire behind the breastworks. Pressing them hotly
to within sixty yards of their line he was not strong enough to attempt
to storm their present cover. He therefore established his own men
under convenient shelter, from which he maintained an incessant
skirmish in that part of the field.
I take the following from the pen of Lieutenant-General A. P.
Stewart
:
"The enemy were found in line around the place, strongly in-
trenched, with open ground in front, and at some points an abatis of
-osage orange or locust. The two corps and the odd division that had
made the flank movement from Columbia the day before were dis-
posed around the place in order of battle. The remainder of the
third corps was held in reserve. About four o'clock the order was
given by General Hood to advance, and the most furious and des-
perate battle of the war in the West ensued. The enemy's first line
was swept away, and the main line broken at one or more points, but
restored by a most determined charge. Nothing but the line of in-
trenchments separated the combatants, and of course retreat in this
situation was impossible.
"The struggle continued with more or less violence until nine
o'clock, after which the fire slackened and ceased, and about three in
the morning the enemy quietly withdrew, leaving his dead and wounded
on the field.
"
Never was any field fought with more desperate courage on both
sides than this ill-fated one of Franklin.
"Both armies lost heavily. On the Confederate side, among the
'I suppose that our colonel here means on the right of Buford's Division.
I find that some of our boys think that the Second Tennessee was on the left
of our division.
522 E. E. HajStcock's Diary.
killed were Major-General Cleburne and Brigadier-Generals Gist^
Adams, Strahl, and Granbury. Among the wounded, Major-Genera^
Brown, Brigadier-Generals Carter (mortally), Manigault, Quarles,
Cockrill, and Scott; Brigadier-General Gordon, captured."*
The loss of Forrest's Cavalry in this mortal battle was light com-
pared with that of the infantry, which, including some seven hundred
-
prisoners, was over six thousand. The enemy, fighting from behind
excellent cover, suffered lightly, according to their reports, having lost
not more than two thousand three hundred and thirty-six, of which
eleven hundred and four were prisoners.
"
We cannot give the exact losses of Forrest's Divisions at Frank-
lin. Chalmers' Division, however, had lost (killed and wounded)
one hundred and sixteen officers and men ; and Buford's, ninety-one,
in the several affairs in which they had been engaged in the past
week."t
It having been discovered (December ist) that the enemy had
evacuated the position, the cavalry were at once ordered to move in
vigorous pursuit. Accordingly, Chalmers, still holding the left flank,
was directed to bear leftward to the Hillsboro-Nashville turnpike, and
follow it to the latter place; Buford, thrown across the Harpeth right-
ward of Franklin, in conjunction with Jackson, at the same time hung
close upon the Federal cavalry on that flank east of the Franklin
highway. Forrest moved with this force. Coming up with their
adversary within four or five miles, several sharp bits of fighting re.,
suited, as the hostile cavalry was forced back toward Brentwood, and
in that vicinity Buford and Jackson, co-operating, made several dash-
ing
charges. The Second Tennessee, led by our daring colonel,
making a dashing charge, mounted, completely routed the enemy in
their quarter of the field.
+
These threw the Federal column into a
good deal of disorder, while as many as three stands of colors and a
hundred prisoners, with their horses, were won on these occasions.
*
t
Campaigns of General Forrest, page 629.
t
D. B. Willard, who was a skirmisher on the extreme right, captured one
man and five horses. As he was taking his prisoner back to the guards another
Confederate wanted to "prowl him." "No," said Willard,
''
you cannot proivj
this prisoner while he is in f>iy possession." After he had been turned over to the
guards this prisoner shewed how highly he appreciated the above remark by
making Willard a present of seventy dollars in ''greenbacks,'' saying at the-
same time,
"
I had rather ior you to have this money than any other living man,'''''
The Hood Campaign. 523^
On Chalmers' flank, slight or no impediment was encountered. When
within six miles of Nashville, however, the cavalry divisions were
halted and thrown into position for the night, directly in advance of
the infantry, on a line stretching from the Nolansville turnpike on the
right across a distance of six miles to the Granny White turnpike.
On the next morning (December 2d), Chalmers, including Bififle,
moved up early to the immediate vicinity of Nashville, on the Hills-
boro and Harding turnpikes, wjiile Forrest advanced with Buford and
Jackson, by the Nolansville road, to within three miles, but in full
view of the State-house.
Having been relieved by the infantry about midday, Buford's
Division (now reduced to about one thousand effectives) was directed
to destroy the stockades on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad,
while maintaining a chain of pickets on the right of the Confederate
army across to the Lebanon turnpike. Intrusting this service to Bell's
Brigade, Buford moved promptly with his Kentuckians to attack the
block-houses. In disposing his pickets, Colonel Bell ordered the
Second Tennessee to take post on the Murfreesboro turnpike five
miles from Nashville and one mile north of the Insane Asylum. As
General Buford was then moving with the Kentucky Brigade to attack
the block-house known as No. i, five miles from Nashville, the Second
Tennessee moved with him. He crossed the railroad a little south of
the block-house, and thence turning northward he deployed his men in
line behmd a ridge only a few hundred yards east of the block-house.
Buford ordered Barteau to halt and aid in the attack upon block-house
No. I before moving to his picket post, which was then less than a
mile distant. This block-house proved to be capable of a prolonged^
formidable defense. Cruciform in figure, its walls were built of un-
seasoned oak timber at least three feet thick, upon which field artillery
made little impression, and as the roof of the structure was well covered
with earth, it would have been a difficult matter to set it on fire. It
appears that General Buford had unthoughtedly neglected to tear up
the railroad as he crossed it, for soon after he had crossed a train of
cars came up from the direction of Murfreesboro with negro troops,
who, leaping from the cars, ran into the block-house. General For-
rest, who had halted on the west side of the railroad, seeing this,
came dashing around to where Buford was, evidently in a bad humor
because the latter had thus allowed the block-house to be reinforced.
On reaching the scene he ordered Buford to take the block-house with
his Kentucky Brigade, or both
if
necessary. "How do you expect me
524
to take it, General?" inquired Buford. ''Stop the port-holes with rails
and burn it" was the prompt and emphatic reply. Barteau was then
ordered to throw forward one-fourth of his men as skirmishers, who,
advancing steadily and taking advantage of the best cover at hand,
opened fire at the port-holes.* The men now evidently expected to
be called upon to at least make an attempt to carry out Forrest's order,
though the operation was regarded by all present as very dangerous,
if not impossible, and therefore the or.der was received with a great
deal of dissatisfaction. But in place of ordering his men to storm the
fortalice, Buford ordered Captain Morton to pound it with his battery,
which was immediately thrown forward upon the ridge, supported by
the Second Tennessee. Thus invested and battered by Morton's guns,
on the morning of the 3d the garrison capitulatedsome eighty officers
and men.
The Second Tennessee received the surrender, and it was then
learned that about ten of the garrison had been killed and twenty
wounded. So far as I know there was not a man of our regiment
hurt, though perhaps one of Captain Morton's men was killed and
one wounded.
While Buford moved southward with the Kentucky Brigade the
Second Tennessee moved over to picket the Murfreesboro turnpike,
where thev remained until called off to go with Forrest to Murfrees-
boro on the morning of the 5th. They were not molested by the en-
emy during these two days and nights. Notwithstanding they were
on picket duty, it was rest compared with what they had been doing
for the last ten days.
No.
3
was next essayed by Buford, as also No.
2
the block-house
on Mill Creekand both succumbed, after some delay and parley, on
the morning of the 4th. All three were destroyed. Two hundred
and fifty officers and men had been taken from the three block-houses.
Leaving a detachment of two hundred and fifty men, under Colonel
Nixon, to guard and picket from the Murfreesboro road to the Cum-
berland River, Forrest set out on the morning of the 5th, with Jack-
son and Buford, for Murfreesboro. At Lavergne Jackson was ordered
to move around to the south-east of town and reduce a redoubt in that
quarter, while Forrest himself, with Buford, beset block-house No.
4,
which guarded a trestle-bridge over a creek near that place. At the
*"I," says
J.
W. Hays, Company C, "happened to be No.
4,
and as I
started off with that skirmish line I said to one of our company, 'Please see
that my horse is sent home, for I never expect to have any more use
for
liini.''
"
usual formal demand to surrender the work was yieWed, with forty
officers and men; and in the same way the redoubt surrendered to
Jackson, with eighty prisoners, two pieces of artillery, several wagons
and teams, and a considerable store of military supplies. The block-
house and a number of barrack buildings having been burned, the ex-
pedition was resumed, but the force was strengthened by General
Wm. B. Bate's Division, ordered toco-operate. Another block-house,
at Smyrna Station, was captured and destroyed by a cavalry detach-
ment, and thirty-five more prisoners were added to those already taken
that day. That evening the cavalry approached within four miles of
Murfreesboro, but the infantry was unable to reach the scene until the
next morning.
Soon after the infantry came up in front of Murfreesboro, on the
morning of the 6th, it was formed in line, and promptly throwing for-
ward skirmishers, offered battle, which, after some feeble skirmishing
for two hours, the enemy refused unless attacked in position, and ac-
cordingly suspended firing. Meanwhile, after making a careful, close
reconnoissance, Forrest de'cided that the works were really impregna-
ble to the force at his disposition, occupied, as they were known to be,
with full eight thousand men, under General Rousseau.
In reference to the operations of the Second Tennessee during the
6th, Colonel Barteau says:
"We were skirmishing most of the day around Murfreesboro, our
position being at first near the center. General Bell and myself were
together a great deal, and moving wherever it seemed necessary, en-
gaging the enemy at different points. Toward evening the Second
Tennessee was placed on the extreme left. Mv orders were to watch
and checkmate any movement of the enemy to flank around in that
direction, or get to our rear.
"At nightfall, while the balance of the troops were withdrawing to
go into camp, I was ordered to reconnoiter and see what the enemy
were doing, apd report. I took a detachment of men with me and
stationed them along, two or three at a place, on the route we would
follow back. One of my men, going ahead, soon returned and re-
ported a scout of Federals or other force approaching a field of open
timber ahead of us. After waiting some little time I concluded to go
forward and
'
sec for myself
.^
I only asked this one man to volunteer
to go with me (and wish now I could recall his name). We had pro-
ceeded some distance when my horse, jumping a ditch, made one of
those peculiar snorts that 'Old Selim' was noted for. Simultaneously
520
11. E. Hancock's Diary.
a shot from ariiong the timber struck me. I had my pistol in hand,
but the violent jump across the ditch and the shot had disarmed me,
and
wheeling around 1 recrossed quietly at another place and rode to
camp
with considerable pain. This ended my service in the war.''
So it was in front of Murfreesboro, on the 6th of December, that
our dear colonel led the Second Tennessee for
the last time ; "yet we
did not think so at the time, not anticipating that the struggle was so
near its end, but all fondly hoping to see him again at the head of the
reo-iment. He did not fully recover until some time after the close
of the war.
"The command of the regiment during the retreat devolved on
Lieutenant-
Colonel Morton, who always commanded the highest re-
spect and utmost confidence of General Forrest, perhaps receiving
more
complimentary
notices from his superiors than any other lieu-
tenant-colonel
on the line."*
After
nightfall, General Buford, with the Kentucky Brigade and a
part of Bell's
Brigade, including the Second Tennessee, moved around
to the
Double
Springs on the Woodbury turnpike, three miles east of
town.
That
evening Forrest was slightly reinforced by two small infantry
brigades
(Sear's and Palmer's), about one thousand six hundred men,
making
his force now about six thousand five hundred strong, of all
arms. It
was late, however, and no further operations were attempted
that
afternoon.
Taking
post early on the morning of the yth, with Palmer's Brig-
ade
(infantry)
on a hill southward of the Wilkerson turnpike, two
miles from
Murfreesboro, General Forrest presently observed a heavy
hostile
column swiftly emerging from Murfreesboro by the Salem road.
At the
moment the Confederates were s])read over a crescent reaching
from the
Woodbury turnpike (Buford's position on the east) to Palmer's
position. A new disposition was necessary to meet the menaced at-
tack.
Retiring Palmer rapidly to the north side ofthe Wilkerson
road,
Forrest threw forward a line of battle extending from Overall's
Creek in the direction of Murfreesboro. It was formed of Bate's Di-
vision and Sear's and Palmer's Brigades, with Jackson's Division of
cavalry, a brigade disposed on each flank of the infantry.
Meanwhile, the enemy moving handsomely forward, drove in the
Confederate
pickets and pressed vigorously forward to grapple with
*See sketch of Second Tennessee hy Lieutenant Geo. F. Hager in Military-
Annals of Tennessee, page 622.
the main line. From some inexplicable cause the Confederate in-
fantry, except Smith's Brigade (though veterans of every hard-fought
field in the West), fell into disorder, and did not stand to meet the
oncoming charge. In this emergency Forrest dispatched Major
Strange to General Jackson,* to acquaint him with the critical situa-
tion, and to say that all depended upon the staunchness and gallantry
of his division. With admirable spirit was the responsibility accepted.
Ross' Brigade was instantly thrown forward in front, while Armstrong
attacked vigorously on the right flank and rear, and such was the res-
olution and vehemence of these charges that, first checking, they pres-
ently forced the enemy to give back and yield the field.
While this was going on Buford, about midday, moving down the
Woodbury turnpike with some five hundred men and Morton's Bat-
tery, halted and dismounted his men within about four hundred yards
of College Hill. Then deploying Bell's Brigade on the right and the
Kentuckians on the left of the turnpike, he drove the enemy steadilv
back, until his skirmishers penetrated to the heart of the town.
Meanwhile, Morton's Battery had been thrown into position at the
college in the eastern verge of the place, supported by the Second
Tennessee. A heavy infantry force was now thrown against Buford's
position, and a hot engagement ensued until about two p. m., when
the order from Forrest reached Buford to withdraw imu:ediately and
form on the Confederate left, north of town. As nearly every horse
of one of Morton's guns had by this time been killed, it appeared
that that piece would have to be left on the field; but the gallant caj)-
tain said,
"
I will take off my gun or die in the attempt." The Second
Tennessee never had deserted Morton, nor did they desert him now.
A part of the regiment held the enemy in check, while others helped
Captain Morton to take off his gun by hand. Billie Nichol was
among the killed of our regiment, and Coon Huddleston (both from
'Company G) was among the wounded.
J.
W. Hays and R. M. Han-
cock (Company C), being on the extreme right of the skirmish line,
where the Liberty turnpike enters town, narrowly escaped c.ipture.
As soon as Morton's Battery was out of danger, Buford ordered his
men to fall back to their horses and mount. Being ordered to cover
the retreat, the Second Tennessee made a handsome charge, mounted,
led by Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, driving back the Federal advance.
At the same time General Buford was ordered to withdraw from the east
and join the Confederate left flank north of town.
528
K. R. Hancock's Diary.
Falling back a short distance, Morton deployed his men into line,
gave the enemy another volley, and then withdrew again. These
evolutions of the regiment were performed in superb order and style.*
The enemy now withdrawing pursuit, Buford, according to Forrest's
orders, crossed the Liberty turnpike and joined the Confederate left
north of town. He did not reach the scene, however, until after
Jackson's
Division had so handsomely repulsed Milroy and brought
his daring sortie to a baffled close. The infantry were withdrawn to
Stewart's Creek, eight miles north of Murfreesboro, but the cavalry biv-
ouacked in their former position before that place.
For several days following the cavalry remained in position before
Murfreesboro, but without noteworthy collision with the enemy. In
the meantime. Bate's Division was recalled to its corps at Nashville,
and a small brigade under Colonel Olmstead was substituted. Forrest
now had three small brigades of infantry. On the loth, Buford was-
detached with his Kentuckians to take post at the Hermitage and
establish pickets along the Cumberland, above the mouth of Stone
River, so as to obstruct the navigation of the former stream above
Nashville.
As a part of Company C, Second Tennessee Cavalry, had not had
the pleasure of visiting home and friends for nearly three years, and
as they were now within from fourteen to twenty-two miles of that
dear spot, home, the temptation was too great; all, except Lieutenant
J.
S. Harrison, went home, notwithstanding they were in great danger
of being killed or captured at any time after leaving the command.
As Lieutenant Harrison's home was more remote, and hence more
dangerous to reach, therefore, he did not wish to make the attempt.
He was left alone, however, only two days and one night, for true to
their colors, as well as their promise, our boys began to return to camp
the next evening, though two failed to return
J. E.
J.
Hawkins was
killed near Auburn and
J.
W. Stevens was captured and sent to prison.
Jackson having been thrown south of Murfreesboro with his divis-
ion, Ross' Brigade, on the 15th, surprised and captured a train of
cars en route from Stephenson, freighted with subsistence for the garri-
son at Murfreesboro. It was gallantly defended by the Sixty-first
Illinois Infantry for a time but overcome : one hundred and fifty of
their number were captured, while the rest secured refuge in a strong
block-house near by. About 200,000 rations fell into the hands of
*Miss Joe
Eaton, of Murfreesboro, and Miss Tennie Bethel, of Woodbury,,
braved the danger of shot and shell and came off with the Second Tennessee.
TnE Hood Campaign. 529
the Confederates, who had, however, to destroy the greater part, as
well as seventeen cars and the locomotive.
On the evening of the 15th General Forrest received an order from
General Hood to hold his force in hand ready for the emergencies of
a general engagement which had then commenced at Nashville.
Whereupon the immediate concentration of his command was directed
to take place at Wilkerson's Cross-Roads, six miles distant ; and that was
effected, with the exception of the Kentuckians absent with Buford, dur-
ing the next day. And happily so, for that night a staff officer brought
intelligence of the disastrous issue of the battle for the Confederates, and
orders for Forrest to fall back by way of Shelbyville and Pulaski.
Buford was now ordered to retire through Lavergne, and cover For-
rest's rear until the artillery and wagon train were well in motion.
But as his sick and baggage train were at Triune, about fifteen miles
west of Murfreesboro, Forrest fortunately did not take up his line of
retreat through Shelbyville, but by way of Lillard's Mills, on Duck
River, while Armstrong's Brigade was detached to push across at once
to Hood's rear. The three brigades of infantry (many of them were
barefooted) and Ross' Brigade of Cavalry moved with Forrest. He
was encumbered with four hundred prisoners, one hundred head of
cattle and four hundred hogs. Reaching Lillard's Mills, Duck River
was found to be rising rapidly. Pressing the passage at once and
vehemently, after the prisoners, cattle and about half the wagons had
been thrown over, the stream became unfordable and Forrest was
obliged to move westward to Columbia to secure a crossing for his
other baggage and ordnance trains and artillery.
While these detached operations were taking place under the imme-
diate direction of General Forrest, Chalmers had remained with his
division distributed upon the right and left flanks of the Confederate
army, in front of Nashville, his headquarters on the Harding turnpike,
about four miles from the city.
About the 3d of December, with three hundred men of Rucker's
Brigade and Briggs' section of artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly cap-
tured two transports about tweh'e miles below Nashville, from which
he secured fifty-six prisoners and one hundred and ninety-seven horses
and mules before the steamers were wrested from his hands by four
gunboats.
The battle in front of Nashville was fought on the 15th and i6th of
December. When Hood's left gave way, Rucker's Brigade narrowly
escaped capture. While covering Hood's left flank, north of Brent-
34
530
R. K. Haxcock's Diary.
wood, Colonel Rucker was wounded, his horse fell, and he was cap-
tured a little after nightfall on the i6th. Fortunately the Federal
cavalry were not handled with resolution, and bivouacked after being
driven back for a mile by the Seventh Alabama. Had they been
pressed forward with all their redoubtable numbers (nine thousand),
they must have inflicted irremediable damage that night upon General
Hood's army. Doubtless the impression adroitly given by Rucker of
Forrest's presence had a material effect in staying the movement, for
Forrest was not a soldier whom they were willing to meet in the dark
or with unlaced harness.
Of the battle in front of Nashville, General A. T. Stewart, who
commanded one corps of Hood's army, says
:
"The Federal commander at Nashville had in his department an
effective strength of eighty thousand, while the army of Tennessee
was now reduced to twenty-three thousand and fifty-three
"On the 15th the enemy, in greatly superior numbers, moved out
from their 'elaborate fortifications' and attacked Hood's line on both
flanks, the main assault being directed against his left. Toward even-
ing the infantry outposts and unfinished works on the left were carried.
"During the night a new position was selected and occupied. The
following morning a general attack was made along the Confederate
front, which was repulsed. In the afternoon the enemy concentrated
a number of guns on an exposed point, and massed a body of infantry
against it. Under cover of the artillery fire this body charged and
broke through the Confederate line, which soon afterward gave way
at all points.-'^
^
"At first, of course, there was more or less confusion, but order
was soon restored.
f
"Confidence in the ability to hold the line had caused the artillery
horses to be sent to the rear for safety, and the abandonment of the
position was so unexpected and sudden that it was not possible to
bring forward the horses to remove the guns which had been placed
in position, and fifty-four of them were lost. Our loss in killed and
wounded was small.
"At Brentwood, about four miles from the field of battle, the
troops
were partially rallied, and Lieutenant-General S. D. Lee took
command of the rear guard and encamped."
J
I have not been able to find the loss on either side during the two
*About 3.30
F. M.
t
I
"
Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," by ex-President Davis,
page 578.
Thk Hood Campaigx.
531
days fighting around Nashville, as given by any Southern writer, but
a Northern writer puts our loss as follows
:
"Thomas, on the 15th of December, moved from his works, fell upon
the Confederate army and routed it with a loss, in killed, wounded,
and prisoners, of more than twenty-five thousand men."*
At Murfreesboro, on the morning of the i6th. Colonel Wilson's
regiment was detached from Bell's Brigade with instructions to go into
the south-eastern portion of Wilson County in search of a Federal
Tennessee regiment, commanded by Colonel Blackburn.
J.
W. Ken-
nedy (Company C, Second Tennessee), who lived in that portion of
Wilson, went with Colonel Wilson as guide. They bivouacked that
night at the Widow Jarman's, twelve miles northeast of Murfreesboro
and within two miles of Cainsville. Soon after starting the next morn-
ing, Wilson learned that Blackburn was in Cainsville, but before the
former reached that place the latter had withdrawn in the direction of
Statesville. About one mile and a half beyond Cainsville, Wilson was
overtaken by a dispatch from Forrest announcing the defeat of Hood
at Nashville, and ordering him to return to the command immediately.
Sending a man to recall his advance guard, Wilson there turned back.
Before being recalled, however, the advance guard had seen Black-
burn's men (estimated at one hundred and fifty) busily engaged feeding
their horses in Rev. A. Ivey's lot, about one mile beyond where Wjlson
had turned back. Without raising any alarm or being observed by the
enemy, they were hurrying back to report the situation to Colonel
Wilson when they met the sad news that the regiment had turned
back. When they overtook Wilson and informed him of the above
facts, that gallant officer said: "Had I known that, I would have at-
tacked them, even at the risk of having to disband my regiment to get
out of here." But it was then too late, for he had ridden several miles
before those who had been in advance overtook him. Crossing the
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad north of Murfreesboro and then
pressing on nearly all that night in the direction of Columbia, Wilson
struck Hood's army the next day (iSth) between Rutherford's Creek
and Duck River, where he halted and fell in with the rear guard,
f
*See History of the United States, by John C. Ridpath, page 527. Capitals
mine. We have to use algebra to find how many men Hood had left, thus;
23,053
25,000=1,947. In other words, he lost
1,947
more than he had.
tThe writer is under obligations to
J.
R. Mathes for the above account of
Wilson's movements. He was with Wilson's Regiment during the movement,
and it was he who saw Blackburn's men in Ivey's lot. Soon after this he joined
Company C, Setond Tennessee.
For the last several days before leaving Murfreesboro, the Second
Tennessee had been encamped in Baird's lot, between the Liberty and
Lebanon
turnpikes, northeast of town.
According to orders from Forrest, Colonel Bell set out on the after-
noon of the 1 6th from his camp north of Murfreesboro, with Bar-
teau's,
Russell's and Newsom's regiments, to report to Hood in front
of Nashville,
t
Bell struck the Nashville turnpike about six and a half
miles from
Murfreesboro, and thence moving in the direction of tlie
former place, he halted at Lavergne about two hours awaiting the ar-
rival of General Buford with the Kentucky Brigade. That officer not
making his appearance, however. Bell resumed his march. Turning
westward
about two miles beyond Lavergne, Bell struck the Nashville-
Franklin
turnpike a little north of the latter place, and thence turning
toward
Nashville, he found Hood's rear at Hollow Tree Gap, five
miles north of Franklin, a little before day the next morning. Here
he also found Nixon's Regiment, which, as previously mentioned, had
been doing picket duty on Hood's right, from Dogtown to the Cum-
berland River. Russell and Nixon were posted at the gap, and the
Second
Tennessee halted five or six hundred yards beyond, while
Newsom was thrown still further north on picket.
Hood's infantry were put in motion, early on the morning of the
17th, along the Lewisburg and Franklin turnpikes; and by three
o'clock A. M. Chalmers' cavalry were in their saddles, following and
covering the rear on both roads.
It being a favorable position. General S. D. Lee, who was in com-
mand of the rear guard, decided to make a stand at Holly Tree Gap,
on the
Franklin road, in order to gain time for Hood to throw his
train and main force south of the Harpeth River. A section of artil-
lery was favorably posted, and Lee deployed a portion of his infantry
along the ridge on each side of the gap.
As it had rained a good portion of the preceding night, our boys
had asked permission of Lieutenant-Colonel Morton to fire off and
clean up their guns; and while thus engaged, Newsom's Regiment
(Bell's Brigade) came dashing by, without saying anything about the
near proximity of the enemy. Li a moment more the Federal cavalry
.(Nineteenth Pennsylvania in advance) were upon the Second Tennes-
tFrom the best information I can get Bell left Murfreesboro about the same
liour (3.30
p. M.) that Hood was defeated at Nashville. Therefore, I suppose
that the former had reached Lavergne, or passed that place, before he heard o'
ihe defeat of the latter.
Lieutenant F. M. McREE, Co. K.
see with drawn sabers, yelling, "-Halt, and surrender
!''
And it ap-
peared at the moment that that summons would have to be obeyed;
for, while the Federals pressed our boys in front, a broad, deep ditch
was across their pathway to the rear. Determined, however, to make
their escape from among the Federals, if possible, they (our boys) put
spurs to their horsessome passed around, a number made their
horses leap over, and a few fell into the ditch. Wm. Davenport's
horse (Company C) fell into the ditch, but the rider made his escape
afoot. Colonel Morton's horse was shot from under him, but he made
good his escape. After making a gallant defenseemptying both his
revolversLieutenant F. M. McRee, who was in command of Com-
pany K, surrendered, and was afterward shot through the right
shoulder by a drunken coward. T. F. McRee (brother to the lieu-
tenant) was knocked from his horse with a carbine and captured.
Frank Farris (Company K) surrendered, but made his escape soon
after. Tom Knott (Company B) was captured. C. C. (Dick) Fran-
cis' horse was shot from under him, and he was the only member of
Company C who was captured. D. B. Willard (Company C) and
Jesse Thurman (Company E) turned upon their pursuer, and leaving
him mortally wounded, they secured his horse and pistols. A Fed-
eral officer and Sam. Barkleyeach demanded the surrender of the
other, but neither agreed to comply with the demand of the other; so
after exchanging about five shots the Federal was a corpse, and Bark-
ley was unhurt. Be it remembered that the Second Tennessee did
not have time to form, so as to make an organized defense, but each
man had to take care of himself as best he could. Knowing that
Newsom's Regiment was on picket, and thinking that they would give
warning in nmple time, Morton did not apprehend any immediate
danger. "What is the matter?" was repeatedly asked by our boys
as Newsom's men came dashing by; yet they invariably refused io give
any warning
of
the impending danger. But apprehending that some-
thing was wrong, the most of our boys had mounted by the time the
enemy were upon them, as previously named. I do not know the
exact loss of our regiment in this affair, though I do not suppose that
our aggregate loss in killed, wounded, and captured, exceeded ten
men. Many of the Federal officers and men were drunk. Had they
all been sober, perhaps they would have captured more of our regi-
ment. The Federals pressed the Second Tennessee back to the gap
almost at full speed, but there they were met by such a terrific fire of
both small arms and artillery, that they were swept back with a loss
534 E. R. Haxcock's Diaky.
of about eighty killed, and as many more captured. So they were
thus severely chastised for their rashness.
Lee was soon after flanked out of his position at Hollow Tree Gap,
and he then moved on in the direction of Franklin. On reaching
that place Lieutenant Colonel Morton dismounted his men and placed
them in the ditches, where our regiment again narrowly escaped cap-
ture by being outflanked on the left. Chalmers, who was in command
of all the Confederate cavalry present, crossed the Harpeth River
immediately after Lee's Corps. It was here that General Buford
joined the rear guard with his Kentuckians.
Moving on to a favorable position six miles south of Franklin,
Chalmers threw his men astride the highway and awaited the pnset.
Right speedily this ensued, and a succession of weighty charges were
beaten back. But the Federals persisted, and, gathering volume,
poured down with such a tide that the Confederates were swept back
about dark to a second position, where they happily gained another
footholdone, moreover, of great strength, which was held. In ihis
affair tliere were numerous hand-to-hand conflicts, and quite a mixing
and mingling of Federals and Confederates. General Chalmers iiim-
self shot one Federal and captured another; and General Buford also
became involved in a personal combat. A member of the Second
Tennessee sprang to the assistance of Buford, and, by a dexterous
movement of his empty gun, it caught the sabre-blow intended for
our General's head. Then taking his antagonist in his arms,* Buford
lifted him from his horse and thus made him prisoner. Chalmers'
Adjutant-General, Captain Goodman, becoming entangled in the
mP/c-e with the enemy, narrowly escaped. That night some of the
Federals drew ammunition from our ordnance wagons through mistake.
Some three or four of the Seventh Indiana fell in with Company C,
Second Tennessee, and were made prisoners, handing over their arms,
without resistance, to Captain Sam Barkley and Frank Thomas.
That night (17th) the infantry rear guard bivouacked at Thomp-
son's Station, while the cavalry rested souliiward at Spring Hill, and
were there remforced by Armstrong's Brigade, which had left Mur-
freesboro that morning.
The weather, still wet, was very cold, the roads desperately muddy,
horses and men so hungry and jaded that despondency was now
stamped upon the somber features of the hardiest.
"This prisoner remarked afterward that he
^^
had as iojn l>(;eii /iiig^êd by a
bear.''''
The Hood Campaigx. 535
The infantry passing southward on the morning of the iSth, the
cavah-y were again disposed to cover their retreat, and Cheatham's
corps relieved Lee's as infantry rear guard. Thereupon, Cheatham,
to secure the passage of the trains across Rutherford's Creek, then
greatly swollen by the rainfall, halted his corps two miles south of
Spring Hill and intrenched. He was thus able to hold the enemy at
bay, while the train was safely thrown south of that dangerous stream.
Then, late that afternoon, he withdrew slowly across it, his rear and
flanks covered by cavalry, but as the Federal cavalry continued to be
handled with singular languor, there was no collision. By this time
the main Confederate forces were passing Duck River, six miles rear-
ward, and Cheatham and the cavalry held the line of Rutherford's
Creek that night. It was here during the night that General Forrest
reappeared among his men with the rear guard and relieved General
Cheatham, who then moved his infantry on to Columbia.
On the morning of the 19th the enemy's cavalry were early afield,
and in formidable numbers displayed a resolute purpose to force the
passage of Rutherford's Creek, while a considerable column was ob-
served in movement, as if aiming to cross Duck River below the
junction of the creek with it. Holding his position along the creek
until three p. m., Forrest then withdrew his cavalry without hinder-
ance and bivouacked on the south bank of Duck River.
"
Hood reports that when he left the field before Nashville he had
hoped to be able to remain in Tennessee, on the line of Duck River;
but, after arriving at Columbia, he became convinced that the condi-
tion of the army made it necessary to recross the Tennessee without
delay."*
Durmg a conference on the night of the 19th, General Hood ex-
pressed to General Forrest the belief that he could not escape in
such weather with unfavorable roads and broken-down teams. For-
rest replied that to remain there would certainly result in the capture
of the whole force, but that if reinforced with four thousand infantry
he would undertake to secure time and opportunity for the escape of
all across the Tennessee. General Hood rejoined that he should have
the infantry.
t
However, only one theusand nine hundred of Stewart's corps (Wal-
thall's Division) were furnished, and at least three hundred of them
*
Ex-President Davis' "Rise and Fsll of the Confederate Government,"
page
579.
t
Forrest's Campaigns, page 646.
5oG E. K. Hancock's Diary.
were shoeless, and so footsore as to be unable to march and bear
arms, and were therefore detached on the wagon train.
After a careful examination into his resources, Forrest found that
he had only three thousand officers and effectively mounted men, with
one thousand six hundred infantry and eight pieces of artillery. With
this force he was expected to confront and keep off a hostile army of
ten thousand cavalry and possibly thirty thousand infantry. Seldom
or never has a soldier been placed in a graver situation, or one from
which extrication seemed so little probable. We are assured, how-
ever, "that at no time in his whole career was the fortitude of Gen-
eral Forrest in adversity, and his power of infusing his own cheerful-
ness inio those under his command, more strikingly exhibited than at
this crisis. .... But he alone, whatever he may
have felt (and he was not blind to the dangers of our position), spoke
in his usual cheerful and defiant tones, and talked of meeting the
enemy with as much assurance of success as he did when driving them
before him a month before. Such a spirit is sympathetic, and not a
man was brought in contact with him who did not feel strengthened
and invigorated as if he had heard of a reinforcement coming to our
relief."*
For some reason the enemy did not appear in force until late in the
afternoon of the 20th, when they opened upon Columbia a furious
cannonade of shot and shell. Hoisting a flag of truce, Forrest had
an interviewthe river betweenwith General Hatch, whom he
formally assured that Columbia was only occupied by non-combatants
and the wounded of both armies. He also proposed the exchange of
some two thousand prisoners, the fruits of the campaign, who were,
as he acquainted him, without blankets or proper clothing for the
inclement season, and must therefore perish, in many cases, from
cold if not exchanged. After a delay
of two hours the answer, in the
name of General Thomas, was a refusal either to exchange prisoners
or to receive those Forrest had on parole. The shelling, however,
was discontinued.
On the 2ist Hood resumed his march toward Pulaski, leaving
Forrest to hold the line of Duck River to the last possible moment,
retiring, when forced to do so, upon Florence by way of Pulaski,
doing what was possible meanwhile to gain time for the safety of the
remains of the Confederate army.
During the night of the 21st the enemy effected the passage of
-Notes of Captain Goodman in Forrest's Campaigns, page 647.
Duck River above the town with their cavalry, and by morning
(2 2d)
their infantry began to cross, whereupon Forrest put his forces in
retreat, the infantry moving by the Pulaski road. Jackson's and
Buford's Divisions covered the rear, and Chalmers the right flank,
moving by the road through Bigbyville, while the left was carefully
guarded by detachments of scouts. A strong defensive position was
found in a gorge between two high ridges, six miles south of Columbia.
Here Forrest determined to make a stoiit stand with his cavalry. As
the Federals had not yet come in sight, thirty picked men from the
Second Tennessee were sent back toward Columbia, with instructions
from General Buford to go until they met the enemy. This scout
went back about three or four miles before they met the Federal
advance,* which was driven back upon the main force. Seeing,
meanwhile, that it was only a small scouting party, the Federals, in
turn, drove our boys, almost at full speed, from there to where Forrest
had prepared to give the enemy a warm reception. Meanwhile,
Buford's men had been busily engaged throwing up temporary cover
of rail and log breastworks. Notwithstanding the Federal infantry
and artillery were soon brought up, Forrest was not moved from his
position during that afternoon. Being forced back about nine miles
on the 23d, the Confederate cavalry bivouacked that night just north
of Lynnville.
Resuming the retreat early on the morning of the 24th, the Fed-
erals were pressing Forrest's rear by the time Lynnville was reached.
Just after passing through that place. General Armstrong very gal-
lantly led a counter charge and drove the enemy back some distance
with his brigade. Walthall's infantry being brought into action about
two or three miles further south, a severe engagement ensued for sev-
eral hours, after which the Confederates fell back in good order two
miles, to a favorable position just in advance of the east branch of
Richland Creek, where dispositions were made for another combat.
Armstrong's Brigade was here placed in support of six pieces of artil-
lery, established upon and sweeping the turnpike, with Ross' Brigade
to the right. Chalmers' Division was drawn up in line with, and to
the left of, the artillery, with Buford's on the extreme left, while the
infantry held the crossing of the creek. A vigorous artillery conflict
then resulted, in the course of which two Federal guns were dis-
mounted. While the enemy's right wing pressed Buford and Chal-
Tliis I learn from Burt Willard and Amzi B. McKnight (Company C), who
rode with that scout, as did also Frank Thomas and Mike Lorance.
538 li. E. HA^xocK's Diary
mers heavily with superior masses of cavalry, his left forced the
crossing of the creek to the right of Jackson, who was sent with his
division to meet this flank movement, and for several hours a warm
conflict was maintained, in which the enemy lost heavily and the
Confederates lightly, but among the wounded was General Buford,
whose division was then temporarily consolidated with Chalmers'
forces.
The Second Tennessee, posted on the extreme left, very gallantly
contended against great odds; nor did they yield their position until
the enemy had gained the bridge to their right, and being thus cut off
they had to swing round leftward and cross the creek about two miles
below the bridge. Our ever-daring Lieutenant-Colonel, G. H. Mor-
ton, had his horse shot from under him again during this action ; and
also Granville McKnight and Monroe Hancock (Company C) met
with a like misfortune. From further investigation it appears tliat a
part of our regiment gained the bridge in time to cross it.
Forrest now withdrew toward Pulaski without further molestation
that day. During the past forty-eight hours, however, the fighting
had been with little intermission. The Federal cavalry had been con-
stantly making strenuous efforts to flank Forrest's force, while their
infantry had pressed vigorously onward by the highway; but each
Confederate officer and man appeared to act and fight as if the fate of
the army depended on his individual conduct. And never were there
manifested higher soldierly virtues than by Forrest's heroic bandin-
cluding the infantrythe virtues of fortitude, unflinching valor, and
unconquerable cheerfulness and alacrity under orders.
The roads now, grown even worse than before, were nearly im-
practicable for wheels, hence it became necessary to destroy at Pu-
laski a quantity of the ammunition of the army, which could not be
carried off, also several locomotives and two trains of cars.
Jackson left at Pulaski, on the morning of the 25th, with orders to
make an obstinate stand, while the other divisions of the rear guard
retired; and well did that division discharge that service, retiring only
when about to be overwhelmed.
No further stand was now attempted until the Confederates reached
and took post upon Anthony's Hill, seven miles beyond Pulaski. It
was now only forty-two miles to Bainbridge, the point on the Ten-
nessee River where Hood's army was to cross, but as yet many of his
infantry had not reached the river bank. To prevent the annihilation
of his army, it was necessary to make a yet more obstinate eflbrt to
delay the approaching enemy as long as i)ossible, and fortunately the
ground was highly favorable to that end. The approacb to Anthony's
Hill, for two miles, was through a defile formed by two steep, high
ridges, which, uniting at their southern extremity, formed the hill, the
ascent of which was sudden, and both the ridges and hill were thickly
wooded.
Morton's Battery was established upon the immediate summit of
the hill, so as to sweep the hollow below and the road through it.
Along the crest of the hill and around on the ridges were grouped
Featherston's and Palmer's Brigades of Walthall's Division, reinforced
by four hundred of Ross' Texans and as many of Armstrong's Missis-
sippians, dismounted. The rest of Jackson's Division were disposed
as cavalry on cither flank, with Reynolds' and Field's Brigades of in-
fantry formed in a second line as a reserve. The infantry had further
strengthened their position by breastworks of rails and timber, and a
line of skirmishers was posted under cover on the hillside. At the
same time Chalmers (with whom Buford's Division now moved) was
halted about a mile and a half to the right, on the road by which he
was moving, to guard that flank from being turned. So broken and
densely timbered was the ground that the concealment of the Confed-
erate forces was complete.
Scarcely, however, were these dispositions made when, about one
p. M., the Federal cavalry, driving the Confederate rear guard into
the mouth of the glen, followed hotly. But the place at length began
to look so dangerous that their commander apparently thought it
requisite to dismount several of his regiments before undertaking the
ascent of the hill. These he pushed forward on foot with a piece of
artillery. The Confederates, meanwhile, had ridden rapidly through
the hollow, and up and over the hill, as if left unsupported, as the
enemy was suffered to ascend within fifty paces of the skirmishers
without hinderance. Then John
W. Morton, breaking the grim
silence with canister, the skirmishers enveloped them with a hot, gall-
ing fire of musketry from front and flank, followed quickly by a
heavier fire from the main line of infantry and dismounted cavalry.
The enemy, thoroughly surprised, returning but a scattering, feeble
fire, gave way in disorder, as our men sprang forward with a shout
and charged down the hill after them through the horses of the dis-
mounted men, only halting once to deliver another fire. Thus the
enemy were driven back in great confusion out of the hollow, when
Forrest recalled his men from their eager pursuit, to avoid becoming
entangled with the Federal infantry, the advance of which, he appre-
hended, was near at hand. The enemy left behind one hundred and
fifty killed and wounded, some fifty prisoners, about three hundred
cavalry horses, as many overcoats, and a twelve-pounder Napoleon
gun, with its team of eight horses intact. The Confederate losses did
not exceed fifteen killed and forty wounded.
It was now nearly four p. m., and heavy Federal cavalry columns
having made the detour both to the right and left of the road through
the ravine, were beginning to press both Ross' and Armstrong's
mounted men, and Chalmers reported the near approach in his quar-
ter of a heavy force. All the advantages of the situation had been ex-
hausted; its further defense was therefore inexpedient, and Forrest at
once gave orders to retire, which was done in good order, carrying off
his prisoners and captured gun. The roads were now as bad as ever
an army encountered, and the horses had to be pushed through mud
and slush every step of the way, often belly deep and seldom less than
up to their knees. The infantry marched, barefooted in many cases,
often waist deep in ice cold water, while sleet beat upon their heads
and shoulders; nevertheless, by one o'clock that night they had
reached Sugar Creek, fourteen miles from Anthony's Hill. There the
stream was clear, with a pebbly bottom, and the men were brought to
a halt in order to wash the mire from their ragged clothing, and,
building iires, were suffered to remain at rest until daylight.
-^^
But at dawn the Federal cavalry was up again and in heavy mass,
now manifestly bent on a vigorous attempt to press forward over all
obstacles, so as to strike Hood's force before it might escape across
the Tennessee. Hood's ordnance-train was still at Sugar Creek, while
the mules had been used to assist in drawing the pontoon-train to the
river; but having been returned, the ordnance-train was just on the
point of moving. It was, therefore, necessary to make another reso-
lute stand to secure that movement. Accordingly, about sunrise
(26th) Reynolds' and Field's Brigades of Walthall's Division were
put in position some two hundred yards south of the ford, across a
narrow ravine, and upon a high ridge to the north of the ravine, where
they threw up cover with rails and other material at hand, while two
other brigades (Featherston's and Palmer's) were established in a strong
*V. D. ("Tobe") Thompson, Company G, Second Tennessee, who was
quite feeble and had taken shelter from the inclemency of the weather in a farm
house (thinking that he was out of danger), was captured that night (25th) by
a squad of Federal cavalry.
The Hood Campaign, 541
position half a mile further to the rear. Ross' Brigade was posted
on the right and Armstrong's on the left of the first line of infantry,
and Chalmejs (with whom the Second Tennessee now moved) was
halted in a strong position, where the parallel road which he pursued
crossed Sugar Creek. Fortunately a dense fog enveloped the position,
and enabled the Confederates to remain concealed.
About half-past eight a. m. the enemy's cavalry were to be heard
fording the creek, until several regiments crossed over and formed in
line in the immediate front of our infantry. The fog veiled their
movements, but it was apparent that, apprehensive of a lurking dan-
ger, the enemy had dismounted and were advancing with a part of
their force on foot in front of their cavalry. Thus disposed, the Fed-
erals came within thirty paces of the breastworks across their path,
when from behind it a broad stream of rifle-balls cleaving through the
thick fog spread confusion instantly through the Federal ranks, and
springing forward the infantry pressed their advantage with such vigor
that the enemy, unable to recover and rally, were driven back through
their horse-holders and among their cavalry, thus increasing the dis-
order. The creek was about saddle-skirt deep, and through it the
cavalry dashed rearward without regard to any ford, and after them
followed Walthall's dauntless men, charging waist deep through the
icy water. At the same time a portion of Ross' and Armstrong's cav-
alry crossing the creekthe former below and the latter abovestruck
the enemy on either flank, driving them pell-mell up the defile for a
mile, killing and wounding many and taking about one hundred pris-
oners, while our loss was light. The pursuit was now recalled. The
other fruits of this handsome affair were the capture of at least one
hundred and fifty horses and many overcoats, of great value to our
men in weather so inclement. But the most valuable effect was that
it checked further close pressure upon the rear of Hood's army by the
Federal cavalry, who had now been punished so severely in men and
horses here and at Anthony's Hill as to be altogether unwilling to ven-
ture another collision with their formidable adversary. In the mean-
time Chalmers, having been attacked in his position, repulsed his
enemy handsomely, and charging in turn, captured some prisoners,
thus checking the hostile movements in that direction also. Remain-
ing unmolested at Sugar Creek until twelve o'clock, Walthall's Division
was again put in movement for the river, and Forrest withdrew his
cavalry about an hour later. After a march of about twelve miles the
infantry bivouacked with the cavalry to their rear. The rear guard
542 R. Ii. Hancock's Diary.
was now within sixteen miles of Bainbridge, where Hood was crossing
the shattered remains of his army to the south bank of the Tennessee.
On reaching the river in the afternoon of the 27th, Walthall's Di-
vision was again placed under the command of General Stewart, who
was then ordered to hold the north bank of the Tennessee with his
corps, while the cavalry, relieved from further rear-guard duty, were
ordered to cross to the south bank of that stream on the pontoon
bridge. Chalmers' command, including the gallant remains of his
own and Buford's Divisions, brought up the rear after night, and there
was not a man of all that battle and weather-tempered band who did
not feel a sense of supreme relief at the moment.
COMMENTARIES.
1. "The campaign, with its eventful disasters, lasted thirty-five
days, during which Forrest's Cavalry were incessantly in sharp con-
flict with the enemy at a season of singular inclemency. With this
force he captured and destroyed sixteen block-houses, twenty consid-
erable railroad bridges, more than thirty miles of railroad,
four locomotives, at least one hundred cars, and one
hundred wagons.
"He captured as many as eighteen hundred of the enemy, one
hundred thousand rounds of ammunition, two hundred thousand ra-
tions, nine pieces of artillery, and brought away three pieces of artil-
lery and ten wagons and teams more than he carried in, besides many
horses, while the aggregate of the killed and wounded of the enemy
may be set down at two thousand.
"At the same time, nothing in the annals of war exceeds in sol-
dierly excellence the conduct of the Confederate rear-guard from Co-
lumbia to Sugar Creek, and the results signally illustrate how true it
is in war, as the Latin poet says, 'They can, because they think they
can.'"*
2. "While riding alone one cold day on the Hood retreat, I came
up with one of his infantry, who was barefooted and otherwise poorly
clad, but he still had his gun on his shoulder and a large piece of pork
stuck on his bayonet. As I rode up by the side of him he asked to
what command did I belong. I told him that I belonged to Forrest's
Cavalry. 'He quickly and enthusiastically replied,
'
How I do love
Forrest's Cavalry. I love the very ground that they walk on. Had it
not been for Forrest's Cavalry, Hood would not have got out of Ten-
nessee with a single man.'
*
Forrest's Campaigns, page
654.
The Hood Campaigx. 543
"Notwithstanding I was well mounted and had on a good pair of
boots, I believe that man was in better spirits than I was.
"As I rode away he gleefully remarked, 'If you have not plenty
of rations, call around to-night and I will divide with you.'"*
3.
At the time Hood was advancing on Nashville, the Second
Tennessee was one day driving the Federals at a rapid rate, when
Captain Sam Barkley remarked that "These Yankees must think we
eat folks." One day during the retreat, while the Federals were driv-
ing the Second Tennessee back over very nearly the same ground and
at about the same rate, thinking of the above remark,
John H. Sneed
(Company C) called out, "Captain Sam." "What now,
John?" re-
plied the captain. "Do you reckon that 'these Yankees think we eat
folks now?'" "Dry up, you d d rascal,"
4.
I again quote from Lieutenant-General A. P. Stewart:
"The army recrossed the Tennessee at Bainbridge during the 26th
and 27th of December and by the loth of January, 1865, ^^s m camp
in the vicinity of Tupelo, Mississippi.
"Soon afterward General Hood, at his own request, was relieved
from further duty with the Army of Tennessee, and General Beaure-
gard assumed command.
"The effective strength of the army at Tupelo was found to be
eighteen thousand five hundred infantry and artillery, and twenty-
three hundred and six of Forrest's cavalry.
"The disastrous campaign into Tennessee, which virtually closed
the war in the West, had cost at least ten thousand men. The army
had marched and fought in the severest mid-winter weather, often suf-
fering from want of food and clothing. Yet, amid all the hardships
and discouragements of the campaign, the troops from Tennessee re-
mained in great part true to the cause they had espoused, and a third
time left their State in the hands of the enemy to follow the fortunes of
the 'Southern Cross.' ........
"The Army of Tennessee, a/ter resting a fcAV weeks at Tupelo,
where a large proportion of the men were furloughed by General Hood,
had been ordered to Augusta, Georgia, and thence to North Carolina.
"f
"Verbal report of D. B. Willard, Company C, Second Tennessee,
t
Military Annals of Tennessee,
pp.
lo6 and 107.
THE FINAL CAMPAIGN.
After resting one day on the south bank of the Tennessee, at Biin-
bridge, Forrest put his whole corps in movement on the 29th of De-
cember, for Corinth, leaving to General Roddy's small cavalry force
the duty of covering Hood's rear. This soon brought Roddy in sharp
collision with a largely superior Federal force that had been thrown
south of the Tennessee at Decatur, and which pressed him actively back
toward Tuscumbia. Armstrong's Brigade was therefore recalled and
directed to remain in rear of Hood's infantry until they had passed
westward of Cherokee Station. Reaching Corinth on the 30th, For-
rest established headquarters there and reported to Lieutenant General
Taylor, to whose command he had now returned. Bell's West Ten-
nesseans were now furloughed to proceed to their homes for fresh
horses and clothing. The Second Tennessee were also furloughed for
thirty days, with instructions to get up as many absentees as possible
and report again at Verona, Mississippi.* Some went to West Ten-
nessee, while others remained in Mississippi. Nearly all of Company
C went to the former place. This is quite a noted event in our his-
tory, as the like was not done at any other time during the war. And,
moreover, rest had never been so badly needed by both men and
horses as at the close of the Hood Campaign. Though both had so
recruited by the time the regiment reassembled at Verona, about the
rst of February, that the Second Tennessee was herself again, except
in point of numbers.
About this time the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee (Barteau's
-and Wilson's) Regiments were consolidated and afterward known as
the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee Regiment. As Colonel C. R.
Barteau was absent, wounded, A. N. Wilson was Colonel and G. H.
Morton Lieutenant-Colonel of the consolidated regiment, and Captain
W. A. DeBow (Con^pany E) was made Major. By promotion Lieu-
tenant Geo. E. Seay became Captain of Company E.
The Second and Twenty-first Tennessee was now armed with short
guns and sabers (the only regiment in Forrest's command that had
sabers), and hence they were the cavalry of Forrest's commandthat
*In fact all the cavalry whose homes were not either too remote or beyond
the Confederate lines were furlousfhed.
The Final Campaign. 545
is to say, they were to fight altogether mounted; and, therefore, they
were not dismounted at another engagement during the rest of the war.
All the cavalry not on furlough were ordered to Okolona to recu-
perate in that country so rich in forage; and about the 12th of
Jan-
uary, 1865,
Forrest established his headquarters at Verona, some fifty-
five miles south of Corinth, leaving Ross' Brigade to garrison the
latter place. General Bell was recalled by the 25th, with orders, as
he returned, to glean West Tennessee for absentees from military
service. Occupied assiduously with measures looking to the recruit-
ment of his gaunt ranks, the rehorsing of cavalry and artillery, and
to the close, stringent search of the country for absentees from his
regiments, Forrest remained at Verona until about the ist of March.
Meanwhile, about the 24th of February, he received an order as-
signing him to the command of all the cavalry of the Department of
Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. It embraced about ten
thousand men, widely dispersed over three States, and to combine
these as speedily as possible for the most part into one coherent, effect-
ive body, became his immediate aim.
One of his early measures was to group the troops of the several
States into State divisional organizations as far as practicable. Gen-
eral Chalmers was placed over the division embracing the brigades
made up of Mississippians; General Buford, one constituted of the
Alabama cavalry and the gallant remains of his Kentucky Brigade,
with orders to proceed to Montevallo, Alabama (fifty miles north of
Selma), and there organize his new division. The Tennessee troops,
with Ross' Texans, were assigned to the command of General
Jack-
son. By this arrangement the famous Second Missouri Cavalry was
excluded from either brigade or divisional association and constituted
a special scouting force, receiving orders direct from Forrest's head-
quarters.
Before the middle of March Chalmers' Division was organized at
Columbus, Mississippi, with an effective aggregate of four thousand
five hundred, divided into three brigades, commanded respectively
by Brigadier-Generals F. C. Armstrong, Wirt Adams, and P. B. Starke.
Jackson's Division, composed of the Tennessee brigades of Generals
T. H. Bell and A. W. Campbell, three thousand two hundred strong,
and six hundred Texans, under Ross, was also in shape at West Point.
The Second Tennessee was still attached to Bell's Brigade, but
Jack-
son, in place of Buford, was our divisional commander from this to
the close of the war. As yet Buford had not been able to organize
35
his division. Roddy's force, which was to constitute an important
part of it, was necessarily detached and actively on duty in North
Alabama, watching the movements of a heavy Federal cavalry force,
accumulated just across the Tennessee River at Gravelly Springs,
under Wilson. The other two brigades (Alabamians), Clanton's and
Armstead's, constituting his command, were likewise detached, guard-
ing one of the then threatened flanks or approaches to Mobile. Mean-
while Forrest had, on the ist of March, transferred his headquarters
from Verona to West Point, on the line of the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road, forty-two miles south.
In the interval the Federal authorities had not been inactive. The
cavalry from Middle Tennessee had been collected in the north-west
corner of Alabama, in the vicinity of Gravelly Springs and Waterloo,
on the north bank of the Tennessee River, near favorable points for
the passage of that stream for piercing either the heart of Alabama or
Mississippi. This force, organized into three divisions, under McCook,
Long, and Upton, was commanded by Major-General James Wilson,
a distinguished graduate of the West Point Military Academy, and
standing very high as a cavalry officer with his superiors.
Meanwhile, Canby had commenced his operations for the reduction
of Mobile. And on the i8th of March Wilson threw his three cav-
alry divisions (13,000
strong) and about fifteen hundred infantry to
the south side of the Tennessee at Chickasaw, with the immediate
object of making a diversion in behalf of the operations against Mo-
bile by penetrating deep into Alabama. Four days later, accordingly,
he set out from Chickasaw upon his expedition, invested by General
Grant with the widest range of discretion in his operations, his
equipage including a pontoon train of fifty wagons; otherwise he
moved with not more than two hundred and fifty supply and baggage
wagons. But each man carried five days' "light rations" in his
haversack, and on his horse twenty- four pounds of grain, one hundred
rounds of ammunition, and a pair of extra horse shoes. Five days'
rations of hard bread and ten severally of sugar, coffee, and salt were
carried, moreover, on pack animals. Forrest was promptly informed
of Wilson's movement by Roddy. Having duly communicated to
General Taylor tidings of the dangerous expedition afield in his de-
partment, that officer, on the 24th, telegraphed orders to Forrest to
concentrate his available forces upon Selma, the supposed objective
of the enemy.
Four brigades, or six thousand four hundred men, with such force
The Fjxal Campakjx.
54'
as Buford might assemble, were all that Forrest could rely on to con-
front his adversary, as it was thought essential to leave Adams' Brig-
ade to guard the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and Ross'
Brigade to garrison Corinth.
Meanwhile, both Chalmers and Jackson had for some days been
held in readiness to move at "six hours notice," and on the 25th
Armstrong's Brigade and a battery were put in motion for Selma, and
Chalmers' other brigade, Starke's, followed on the 27thboth starting
from Columbus, Mississippi. Armstrong, having been detained in the
passage of the Black Warrior, was overtaken by Chalmers and staff at
Greensboro, Alabama, on the 28th. In consequence of an order from
General Forrest prescribing concentration, Armstrong was halted at
]\Iarion, at which place Starke also arrived, on the afternoon of the
30th. Marion is about twenty-six miles north-west of Selma, and the
latter place is a little south and west of the center of the State, on the
west bank of the Alabama River, and stands upon a bluff nearly one
hundred feet above high water level.
On the 27th, General Forrest set out from West Point for the thea-
ter of impending operations. At Columbus he learned, through scouts,
that it was manifest that the Federal column was aiming for Monte-
vallo, about fifty miles north of Selma and forty east of Tuscaloosa,
important as a center of a number of iron mines and foundries, worked
for the Confederate Ordnance Department. Fie at once reported
Wilson's movement to his superior. General Ta}dor, by telegraph, and
urged the concentration of all possible resources for the defense of
Selma. Setting out from Columbus, Mississippi, with his staff and es-
cort, on the morning of the 28th, Forrest reached Tuscaloosa, Ala-
bama, after a ride of thirty hours; and there, learning definitely of
the movement toward Montevallo, he again communicated with Gen-
eral Taylor.
On the 28th, Jackson moved Bell's and Campbell's Brigades from
West Point to Columbus. Montevallo, to which place Jackson was-
now ordered to move as rapidly as possible, is about one hundred
miles east of Columbus. Jackson moved from Columbus to Pickens-
ville, Alabama, on the 29th, and to Tuscaloosa the next day.
In the meantim.e, the enemy, with
13,000 horse,
1,500 infantry,
and three batteries, had taken two lines of march; Upton's Division
the most eastern, through Russellville to Saunders' Ferry on the west
fork of the Black Warrior River; the other twowith the pontoon
trainfollowed the road toward Tuscaloosa. General Wilson, on the
27th, was at Jasper, and there hearing of Chalmers' movement, appre-
hending that it portended a concentration of Forrest's Cavalry to meet
him, he at once stripped to his pack-train and artillery, and ordered
his three divisions to move in light order, with all haste, by the way of
Elyton to Montevallo, leaving the wagon trains to follow. He was at
the former place on the 30th, and there detached Croxton's Brigade
McCook's Divisionto hasten to Tuscaloosa to burn the University

and military stores accumtilated there.
In the meantime Forrest was pressing on, hoping to be able to in-
tercept Wilson and hold him in check with what forces he might be
able to find in the vicinity of Montevallo, until Jackson's Division
arrived.
It was Upton's Division that, flooring the railroad bridge near Hills-
boro, crossed the Cahaba River, and then pushing on, approached
Montevallo late on the evening of the 30th, where he encountered
Generals Dan Adams and Roddy. Several days previous. General
Roddy, having been ordered by General Taylor to hasten southward
with his command to meet a hostile force moving northward from
Pensacola against Montgomery, had already been thrown across the
Alabama River at Selma, when the order was countermanded, and his
destination changed to Montevallo, to report to General Adams. Re-
crossing the river, and making a forced march of fifty miles, he
reached the scene just in time to meet Upton's Division, with his small
force, a little north of Montevallo. Overborne by numbers, after a
sharp rencounter, Adams and Roddy were driven back through the
place, and the Federal commander was enabled to execute the purpose
which had led him thither
the destruction of four iron furnaces, a

rolling mill and five collieries in the neighborhood. On the 31st the
other two Federal divisions arrived, and also General Wilson in per-
son. The Confederates, meanwhile, having rallied, had reappeared
before the place as the Federal commander reached the scene. Up-
ton's Division was at once thrown out to engage them, and a keen
collision ensued. Greatly inferior in numbers, the Confederates were
soon worsted, and driven southward, toward Randolph (Bibb County),
to the "Six Mile Creek," where Roddy, being reinforced by Cross-
land's small brigade of Kentuckians, and the ground being rather fa-
vorable, a stand was made. As Crossland came up, he threw his
little force gallantly across the road down which the Federals were
pressing strenuously, and presently, taking the offensive, he charged,
in turn, half a mile, thus gaining a good position at a bridge, which
The Final Campaign. 549^
he was able to hold against several vigorous attempts to dislodge him,
and until at length he was about to be turned on both flanks. Then,
sending his horses rearward, Crossland fell back slowly on foot, as the
enemy pressed hotly after, receiving, however, at least one galling fire
from Crossland's deadly rifles. The situation was one of extreme
peril, but as the grounda thick pine woodswas favorable, he, with
equal skill and resolution, kept a steady front to the enemy of half his
men at a time for several miles, while the other half would fall back,
reform and await the enemy in its turn. The Federals charged, by
regiments, with much- spirit and vigor, but were met with a courage
and tenacity that has never been exceeded. Crossland, originally re-
duced to about six hundred rank and file, now finding that he was
rapidly dwindling away by the casualties of the conflict, attempted to
remount; this being observed, the enemy charged upon the Kentuck-
ians while thus engaged, and some captures resulted, making his losses
in killed, wounded and prisoners, a little over one hundred men.
The rest of his command he was able to lead safely away from the
field, and joined Roddy a short distance north of Randolph.
During this time Forrest was rapidly riding across the country from
Centerville toward Montevallo Avith his staff and escort, some seventy-
five in number, and it so happened he came within sight of this road,
just where the conflict I have related had been fought, and he observed
that it was filled with Federal cavalry, at a rapid trot moving south-
ward. Ever swift and daring in his measures, he determined to avail
himself of a favorable conformation of the ground to make a dash at
the hostile column, great as was the disparity. Accordingly, forming
his little following, upon each man of whom he could rely, into a
column of fours, when within fifty yards of the road he charged boldly
from his covert into the moving mass, and broke through. Turning,
he now dashed upon the fragment northward of him, and drove it
rearward for half a mile; but there his adversary stood drawn up in a
heavy line of battle to receive them. Changing his direction at once
to the southward at a charging pace, he now found the road strewn
with signs of a recent battle, including some fifteen or twenty dead
Federals and some ten or twelve of Crossland's Kentuckians; more-
over, having also captured several prisoners, he learned that there had
been a good deal of fighting in that quarter, and that General Wilson
was already southward of him, pressing Roddy and Crossland back
toward Selma. In his own little affair he had lost three men, and
being in the very midst of the whole Federal force, with now less than
550 R, R. Hancock's Diaey.
seventy-five men, it was incumberit upon him to withdraw and find
his way speedily to the main body of his force southward. Making
a slight detour from the line of the road, after a rapid ride of six or
eight miles, he succeeded in finding Roddy and Crossland, about ten
o'clock at night, confronting the enemy near Randolph, about fifteen
miles south of Montevallo.
It appears that while the main portion of Jackson's Division was
moving eastward from Tuscaloosa on the 31st, a detachment from
Campbell's Brigade moving north-east had a skirmish with Croxton's
Brigade about eighteen miles from Tuscaloosa, on the Elyton road,
late that afternoon. Having been promptly informed of Croxton's
movement, General Jackson ordered General Bell to turn back with
his brigade and make an effort to find the locality of Croxton's camp,
so as to take him by surprise at dawn the next morning. Ten men
were now detached, under Lieutenant G. F. Hager, to take the ad-
vance, with instructions to find the enemy, if possible, -and watch his
movements. After qiarching and countermarching, and sometimes
halting for an hour or more at a time, awaiting reports from Hager,
Bell learned a little before day on the ist of April that Croxton had
halted and encamped within about fifteen miles of Tuscaloosa, and
only about four miles north-west of where he (Bell) had turned back
the evening before. After the enemy's camp had been found. Lieu-
tenant Hager first went round it mounted, and then dismounting and
taking only one man with him, that daring officer passed around it
again, so as to make a still closer inspection of their camp and ground
around it. Being informed by Lieutenant Hager that the ground was
favorable for a cavalry charge, General Bell ordered Colonel Wilson
to make the attack with his regiment, mounted.
Moving on the enemy's camp from the direction of Tuscaloosa,
the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee, gallantly led by Colonel Wil-
son and Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, dashed into Croxton's camp, with
revolver in hand, just as day dawned, capturing a number of prisoners,
several stands of colors, one hundred and fifty horses, and Croxton's
papers, and also a good supply of rations, including sweet potatoes,
sugar, coffee, and- hams, besides a warm breakfast, which was very
much appreciated by our boys after being in the saddle all night. So
complete was the rout* that the enemy did not make another stand
*-When Colonel Wi!soa'< revolvers were pLiyint,' upon the enemy in rapid
succession General Bell was heard to remark, "That is the sweetest music I
ver heard."
Lieutenant GKO. F. IIAGER, Co. G.
during the day, though followed for some fifteen miles back up the
mountain road. John Bass (Company E), T. W. Petway (Company
G), and about five others were wounded in the above affair.
In the meantime, Chalmers, at Marion, had received an order from
General Taylor, at eleven p. m., on the 30th of March, to move upon
Plantersville, some nineteen miles north of Selma, and in the line of
Wilson's march. The Cahaba River, after some unavoidable delay
in the construction of the pontoon bridge, was crossed late in the
afternoon of the 31st. But swamps and wretched roads made Gen-
eral Chalmers diverge from his projected line of march toward Ran-
dolph (about twenty miles north of Plantersville), and seek practica-
ble roads for his artillery and trains, escorted by Starke's Brigade,
while Armstrong's Brigade moved on toward Plantersville.
Informed of the situation and of the occurrences of the day, on
finding Roddy and Crossland near Randolph, on the night of the 31st,
as previously mentioned, Forrest dispatched an order to Jackson
supposed to be at Scottsvilleto move swiftly across to Centerville,

and, throwing his division upon Wilson's right flank, harass him as
much as possible, after which to effect a junction before they were
forced back into Selma. Again reporting the situation to General
Taylor at Selma, Forrest repeated his recommendation of a general
concentration for the defense of Selma, and inquired the present local-
ity of Chalmers' Division. The answer being that Chalmers was then
at Plantersville, Forrest requested
by
telegraphthat the division
should at once be dispatched to his aid in the direction of Randolph,
so that he might delay the enemy as long as possible, and secure time,
both for the concentration of troops for the final defense of Selma
and the removal of stores from that depot.
During the night of the 31st the enemy remained quietly in front
of Randolph; but they had intercepted dispatches both from Jackson
and Captain Anderson, of Forrest's staff, which divulged to General
Wilson the plans of his adversary, the scattered dispositions, at the
moment, of the Confederate forces, and the weakness of Forrest's
command, then immediately in his front. Jackson, as he ascertained
from these dispatches, was still westward of the Cahaba, moving
toward Centerville. Already he had come in collision with Croxton,
and was expecting another conflict. Wilson, therefore, cognizant of
the small available force in his path, detached McCook, with another
brigade, to seek to form a junction with Croxton and occupy Jackson,
while he would press directly for Selma with his other divisions, still
552 E. R. Hancock's Diaky.
at least nine' thousand strong. To meet this force, Forrest had now
a little over fifteen hundred men, portions of Roddy's and Crossland's
Brigades, and some raw militia that had been in garrison at Monte-
vallo under General Dean Adams.
At sunrise, on the ist of April, the enemy were promptly in their
saddles, Wilson now, as I have said, fully conscious of the extreme
weakness of any enemy he could possibly encounter. The Confed-
erates, of course, retired, but in the course of the next eight or ten
miles there was some spirited skirmishing with the Federal advance,
which several times was checked by Forrest and his escort, and por-
tions of Roddy's and Crossland's commands. Giving General Taylor
telegraphic intelligence of his inability to make substantial head against
Wilson with his present force, about noon Forrest learned, to his
chagrin, from Captain Goodman, of Chalmers' staff, near Mapleville
Station, that that officer was not southward, on the Plantersville road,
as had been reported, but was really northward, moving by another
road to the left hand. Couriers were accordingly dispatched hurriedly
in all probable directions to find Chalmers and guide him to a junc-
tion in front of Selma, at the expense, if needful, of his train and
artillery. Several hours later a dispatch from Chalmers himself an-
nounced his exertion to reach a point southward (Dixie Station) as
soon as his horses would enable him. Having learned, meanwhile,
from General Adams, that there was a strong defensive position some
four miles southward, that officer was directed to fall back and occupy
it with the artillery and the main body of Roddy's, Crossland's, and
his own men. Forrest then threw himself across the path of the en-
emy with his escort and one hundred of the Kentuckians, resolved to
dispute every mch of the ground to gain time for Adams to get into
position and arrange for its defense. For several miles did he boldly
grapple with the Federal advance, constantly checking it by a series
of charges of characteristic audacity, and only falling back when the
numbers brought up were overpowering; but by four p. m. he had
been forced to fall back upon Adams, where he hoped for a junction
also with Chalmers.
The position was, in fact, very favorable for defense. Bogler's
Creek, with rugged banks, intersected the railroad and highway, form-
ing a narrow valley rightward of the former, with steep, wooded hills
commanding the several approaches from Randolph and Maplesville.
On these ridges the Confederates were drawn upRoddy's Brigade
immediately astride the highway, supporting the artillery, which swept
both the road from Randolph and the one from Maplesville ; on his
left lay Crossland, and on his right Adams with the remains of the
State troops, and a small infantry battalion from Selma, resting right-
ward on Mulberry Creek. They did not exceed in all
1350
men, and
to these now Forrest added about one hundred and fifty officers and
men, making a force of scarcely 1500 men and six guns.
About four p. M., the enemyLong's Divisioncame up, and
promptly and resolutely assailed the right of Roddy's position with a
mounted battalion (Seventeenth Indiana) with drawn sabers. It was
handsomely done, and the Confederates were thrown into a great deal
of confusion, giving way in disorder. Forrest, observing the disaster,
dashed upon the scene with his staff, and, assisting Generals Roddy
and Adams, succeeded in re-establishing their lines, while a number of
the enemy were left on the ground either killed or wounded. Having
thus restored the integrity of his lines in that quarter, Forrest returned
to where his artillery was posted.
During this time the other Federal divisionUpton's
guided by
the sound of batttle, had been rapidly approaching by the Maplesville
road. Previously Forrest had thrown forward that indomitable, hard
fighter. Lieutenant Nathan Boon, of his escort, with ten men, to rec-
onnoiter, and presently the shrill clangor of a bugle was heard beyond
an old field in front of the Confederate position, and, soon after. Boon
and his little band dashed into sight, closely pressed by the enemy,
who charged across the field in right gallant fashion in Ime. The
Confederates now opened upon them with a destructive fire, both of
canister and rifles, emptying a number of saddles. In the meantime,
Upton, having come upon the scene rightward, dismounted his divis-
ion and pressed up to the attack upon the Confederate right. There
were the militia, and they could not be made to stand, but fell back
in confusion. The left had held their position successfully, but there
Avas now imminent risk of being turned and cut off from the ford of
Dixie Creek; Forrest therefore ordered his line withdrawn to secure
that crossing. This being observed, doubtless, by the enemy, a vig-
orous charge by platoons were made, to meet which Forrest had at
the moment available only his escort and staff and the section of
Adams' artillery. From the latter one discharge was secured, but,
seeing that the infantry support had gone, the artillerists abandoned
their guns in position and retreated abruptly. On came the Federal
cavalry, with their sabers drawn, when Forrest sprang to meet them
with his escort; but he was swept back into the woods about fifty
yards by the overwhelming stress of numbers; and such was the
momentum of the Federal charge that one of their horses, striking
squarely against the wheel of a piece, broke every spoke, and split his
own breast open. A single artillerist had remained staunchly at that
piece; gathering a handspike from the trail, with one blow he dashed
out the brains of the overthrown trooper and knocked another from
his seat, after which feat, shouldering his handspike, he deliberately
made his way rearward.
By this time, five p. M., General Forrest, his staff and escort, were
engaged in a hand-to-hand melee with the enemy, and the General be-
came involved in one of those personal rencounters that have marked
his life and his escape from which appear incredible. He was set
upon by four troopers in the road at one moment. Shooting one, the
others dashed down upon him with uplifted sabers, which he at-
tempted to parry with his revolver; he received several slight wounds
and bruises, both on his head and arms. Three others came up,
meanwhile, and took part, so that actually as many as six troopers
were either attempting to saber or shoot him. By this time the ham-
mer of his pistol had been hacked away, so that the weapon was use-
less, while his right arm was sorely weakened by the many blows
which had fallen upon it. His staff and escort could not help him,
for all, at the moment, were strenuously engaged in the like personal
combats. On either hand the roadway was hedged by a dense, im-
penetrable thicket and rearward was choked by a two-horse wagon,
which barred his escape in that direction, while his enemies filled the
road frontward, fiercely cutting and shooting at him. Escape, indeed,
seemed hopeless; but it was not the habit of the man to look upon
aught as hopeless. Wheeling,his horse toward the wagon, giving him
the spur fiercely and lifting him with the bridle, the brave animal rose
in the air and surmounted the obstacle at the bound, going some
thirty steps before he was halted and Forrest turned to survey the
field. Scarcely had he done so when he was charged by a Federal
officer (Captain Taylor), who lunged at him with his saber; but For-
rest parried the thrust with his other pistol, which he had been able
to draw, and, firing, killed his resolute adversary. By this time, how-
ever, those whom he had eluded by his desperate leap over the wagon
had contrived to pass it, and were again upon him; but Colonel M.
C. Galloway, of Memphis, and Dr. Jones,
of his staff, by this time
had come to the aid of their imperiled chief, and, firing, had each put
an adversary hors de combat. Forrest killed yet another, and Gallo-
The Final CAiiPAiGN. 555
way, wounding still another, took him prisoner. Meanwhile, the es-
cort, fighting with their usual fearless prowess, had first checked and
then driven their enemy back, which discovered by the few who sur-
vived, they retreated precipitately, leaving him and his intrepid party
masters of the field. The enemy had used the saber almost exclu-
sively. Forrest and his staff were armed, each with two navy revol-
vers and the men with Spencer rifles as well as pistols. It was a con-
test of sabers with firearms, in a thick woods, with the odds of four
to one against the Confederates. Forrest, Lieutenant Boon and five
of his men only were wounded, while some thirty of the enemy were
killed and as many as sixty were left in hospital near by badly
wounded. The caissons had been carried off, but it was necessary to
abandon the section of artillery to the enemy, as Forrest 'fell back
across the creek. Previously, likewise, some two hundred of the
State troops and infantry had also fallen into their possession. This
stand and combat v/hich I have related would not have been under-
taken but for the supposition that General Chalmers, from his re-
ported short distance from the ground, would be able to bring his di-
vision up in time to enable Forrest to profit by the favorable character
of the position to make a prolonged, effective resistance there. But
Chalmers, untowardly diverted and retarded by conflicting orders and
bad roads and swamps across his route, failed to reach the scene with
his splendid division.
Adams' men were now utterly demoralized, and many, too, of
Roddy's were dashing rearward toward Selma with little or no organi-
zation; meanwhile, the enemy were persistently pressing after. But
Forrest still interposed his staff and escort across their path, and again
a squadron, apparently, was launched upon him; but standing at bay,
they were repelled and driven back across a creek. Roddy, mean-
while, having gathered some three or four hundred of his best men,
was ordered to cover the rear as long as practicable. By this time
Forrest's wounds had become very painful, and he rode with his staft"
and escort rapidly to Plantersville. General Adams was there, and
had succeeded in again embodying the mass of the Confederates.
But, unluckily, Chalmers was not there. Scarcely had General For-
rest had time to telegraph General Taylor the present state of affairs
before the eager enemy appeared, and, without halting, dashed down
upon the Confederates, who, at the instant, for the most part, were
occupied drawing forage and subsistence from the stores accumulated
there. Straightway the panic was general ; they were mounting in
556 E. E. Hancock's Diart.
hot haste, and the larger portion made off as fast as their horses could
carry them to Selma, about nineteen miles south. But around Forrest
rallied his matchless escort, and with them he quickly sallied forward.
Presently a short but most spirited engagement took place, which,
thanks to the virtue of the Spencer (repeater) rifle in the sure, steady
hands of that sturdy band, resulted in forcing the Federals to retire
upon their main force about sunset.
Apprehensive that Roddy and the rear guard had been captured,
after a brief conference with Adams, Forrest directed that officer to
fall back that night to Selma with such forces as could be collected,
while he would go in quest of Chalmers with his escort, now reduced
to not more than forty men, by carrier and other detached service and'
casualties.
Taking the road toward Marion (about twenty miles west), some
five miles from Plantersville, Forrest was relieved somewhat by com-
ing upon Roddy and his detachment seeking their way toward Selma,
after having been pressed off the road by the enemy. Late, about
eleven p. m., he also met Armstrong, with his brigade at a halt, await-
ing Chalmers, who, he reported, was still six or eight miles distant im-
peded by a swamp and some bad streams across his road. Armstrong
was now ordered to hasten to Selma, and Colonel Thomas W. White
was dispatched to find Chalmers, with orders to press in the same di-
rection with Starke's Brigade, even though he had to leave his artillery
behind. These measures having been taken at two a. m., the 2d of
April, the Confederate general suffering acutely from his hurts, and
worn down with fatigue, halted and gave his escort opportunity for
several hours of rest and to feed their hungry horses.
After the route and chase of Croxton's Brigade, on the morning of
the ist of April, as previously mentioned, Jackson's Division moved
across the country from the Tuscaloosa-Elyton road, in the direction
of Scottsville, which is between Tuscaloosa and Centerville twenty-
three miles from the former place and ten from the latter. Campbell's
Brigade encountered, late that afternoon, some eight miles north of
Scottsville, the Federal Brigade, which Wilson had detached at Ran-
dolph early that morning under McCook to form a junction with
Croxton, and considerable skirmishing ensued until after nightfall.
Bell's Brigade bivouacked near where it had turned back the evening
before to go in search of Croxton. If Jackson had pressed ahead on
the night of the 31st of March, in place of turning back to attack
Croxton, Wilson would have felt the weight of his (Jackson's)
Sergeant A. B. McKNIGHT.
The Final Campaign.
557
splendid division before reaching Selma. Then (March 31st) Jackson
was only fourteen miles further from Selma than Wilson, but now
(April I St) the former was fifty-three miles from Selma and the latter
only nineteen.
In the saddle early in the morning of the 2d of April, Jackson
overtook the Federal brigade under McCook, near Scottsville. The
enemy were soon found drawn up across the highway in battle array,
mounted, and General Bell was ordered to make the attack with his
brigade. Accordingly, Russell's and Newsom's Regiments were im-
mediately thrown into position on the right of the road, dismounted,
while the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee was deployed into line
on the left mounted.*
Being very gallantly led by Colonel Wilson, Lieutenant-Colonel
Morton and Major DeBow, our regiment dashed down upon the enemy
with such fury, that, giving way, they fled in confusion; and thus,
the LAST icHARGE of our regiment was most admirably and success-
fully made. Sergeant A. B. McKnightf (Company C), Captain John
A. Brinkley (Company F) and
J.
D. Carr (Company D) were among
the wounded in this affair. Our boys report that four or five others
(whose names they can not give) were wounded. But few, if any,
were killed. One of Russell's Regiment was killed. Jackson pressed
McCook back through Scottsville and across the Cahaba River, near
Centerville (about ten miles from the former place), where the enemy
burned the bridge and thus stopped further pursuit.
On reaching Selma with his faithful escort; about ten a. m. on the
2d of April, General Forrest found the place in wild confusion, not
unnatural, perhaps, in view of the serious danger impending. Long
trains of cars, freighted with stores and prisoners, were being dis-
patched toward Demopolis. Steamers at the landing were being
loaded with other stores and freight of all descriptions, to be sent up
the river to Montgomery; the streets were thronged with wagons and
drays laden with boxes, barrels, and parts of machinery, and rapidly
driven in different directions. General Taylor, the department com-
mander, was still there, but on the eve of departure, by rail, with a
*
Nixon's Regiment now belongd to Campbell's Brigade.
t
A. B. McKnight's left leg was broken and afterward amputated above the
knee. He recovered, however, from this, a second severe wound, and is now
(1887) a successful farmer and merchant fourteen miles east of Murfreesboro,
Tennessee. He was at the reunion of our regiment six miles south of Nash-
ville (at P. A. Smith's) in September, 1885.
558
K. K. Hancock's Diary.
train of ordnance and subsistence supplies, for Demopolis. One of
the chief arsenals of construction and depots of the Confederate
States embracing ordnance foundries for the army and navy, were es-
tablished at Selma. Therefore the place was extensively fortified by a
double line of works, the exterior of which was upon a trace of nearly
four miles, which enveloped the town upon all sides save the river
front. These works required for their defense a very large garrison
one far larger than was now available, as Forrest v/as satisfied, after
taking a careful survey of the works and the resources at hand for
holding them. One brigade (Armstrong's) of Chalmers' Division, one
(Roddy's) of Buford's, and a few State troops, constituted the avail-
able force for the defense of Selma. Having opened telegraphic com-
munication with General Buford, Forrest found that that officer had
not been ordered thither with his disposable forces, and therefore gave
the order.
Nevertheless, as the chief command devolved upon For-
rest by the departure of General Taylor at two p. m
,
he made his dis-
positions for the attempt, hopeless as it seemed.
Armstrong's
Brigade, about fourteen hundred strong, was stationed
to hold the lines on the left and west, his men being deployed at in-
tervals of ten feet, in order to cover the whole ground assigned the
brigade. Roddy's men, and such other forces as were in the place,
in all some seventeen hundred, rank and file, were disposed in the
same extended manner to the right of Armstrong, filling the center
and eastern portion of the line.
Setting out from Plantersville at daylight, Wilson began to skirmish
with the Confederates as early as two p. m., and kept it up until four,
when he had completely invested the position.
About five p. M. a piece of artillery on the extreme (Armstrong's)
left opened upon the Federals, who were forming for an assault in
that quarter. Soon, too, all of Armstrong's artillery opened upon
similar forces in their front, and presently the enemy, bringing up a
battery to a favorable ridge, replied with spirit, but their projectiles,
flying high, did no harm. For awhile they appeared little disposed to
come to close quarters, but at half-past five three strong lines of battle
were pushed forward to the assault, not only of Armstrong's position,
but of the Confederates on his right, and from their massive lines
poured out an unceasing stream of leaden hail, to which the return
fire of the attenuated Confederate line was as that of a skirmish de-
tachment to the uproar of a battle at its climax. Meanwhile the
militia began to falter and gradually quit their places behind the breast-
The Final Campaign.
559
works, leaving broad gaps, and Armstrong's right exposed. Roddy-
was, therefore, directed to move over and fill the breach; but be-
fore it could be effected the enemy had reached the exposed, deserted
section of the lines and surmounted it, cutting Roddy and Armstrong
in sunder. Turning leftward, they opened an enfilading fire upon
Armstrong, who had repulsed three attacks upon his front, with severe
loss to his immediate assailants. At this, however, Armstrong was
forced to withdraAV his brigade, which having to do under a heavy
fire, his loss, in killed, wounded, and captured, was very heavy. In
the meantime the militia had thrown away their arms, and were swiftly
seeking their horses, and divesting themselves, as they fled, of all that
would betray their late connection with the defense of Selnia. The
scene generally was one of the wildest confusion. The Confederates,
beaten from the breastworks, were rushing toward their horses; in the
town the streets were choked with horses, with soldiers, and citizens
hurrying wildly to and fro. Clouds of dust rose and so filled the air
that it was difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The Federals were
still firing upon their routed, fleeing adversary.
Further resistance upon a field so utterly lost, indeed as soon as
the enemy appeared in such overpowering force before it, was now
worse than useless. But what avenue of escape was there left open?
For the broad Alabama River as effectually closed the way in that
quarter as the enemy did apparently on all other sides. Forrest,
assembling his staff and escort, sallied forth from Selma by the Mont-
gomery road, upon which, happily as yet, there was no hostile force
to bar his egress. Armstrong soon followed with a like sturdy band
around him, but mistaking the road, became involved in a bend of
the river, where, having been closely pursued, he effected his escape
by cutting his way out with forty or fifty followers.
Thus Selma fell, and with it the last importani arsenal of construc-
tion belonging to the Southern people remained in the possession of
General Wilson, and the main purpose for which that general had
taken the field was accomplished. E. A. Pollard (in his "Southern
History of tlie War," A"ol. II, page
518)
sums up our losses at Selma
thus:
"Over two thousand prisoners, one hundred cannon, large num-
bers of horses and mules, .... immense quantities of sup-
plies, .... millions of dollars worth of cotton, a large arsenal,
naval iron-works, and other manufactories. Montgomery," continues
Pollard,' "was peaceably surrendered on the T2th. Columbus, Geor-
gia, was captured on the i6th. Macon was approached on the 21st.
Here Wilson was met by a flag of truce from Howell Cobb, announc-
ing an armistice between Sherman and Johnston."
I shall here state that General Croxton, after having destroyed the
factories at Tuscaloosa, moving westward sought to strike and break
up the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Columbus to Meridian. But
General Wirt Adams, left at West Point by Forrest to guard that road,
threw himself with about the same force across Croxton s path near
Sipsey River, and after a warm combat of about one hour the Federals
were beaten back with the loss of about one hundred killed, wounded,
and captured. Adams pursued for some thirty or forty miles, but
without securing any other material advantage. TJiis ivas the last en-
gagoiicnt
of
the war east
of
the Mississippi.
Making his escape from Selma eastward, as previously mentioned,
then turning northward, Forrest struck the Plantersville road
by
which the enemy had approachedsome three miles north of Selma.
Suddenly hearing in the stillness of the night the cries of women in
distress, he and some of his men dashed thither to find a neighboring
house in the possession of four Federal "bummers," who, after hav-
ing rifled it of all jewelry and other portable valuables, were engaged
in the effort to outrage the women who lived there. These wretches
speedily met with the fate which their crime justified. The escort
were now greatly excited and provoked by the incident, and those in
the advance guard, meeting a number of these fellows loaded down
with plunder, did not hesitate to slay them on the spot. Hearing the
sounds of what was happening ahead, Forrest, to check it, took the
conduct of the advance himself. Presently capturing a picket party,
he learned that it belonged to a small squadron of the Fourth Regu-
lars, encamped near by, rearward, which he determined to surprise
and capture also, small as was his own force. Meanwhile learning
from the pickets, also, that there was a scouting party in the neigh-
borhood detached from the same squadron, he dispatched a part of
the escort in their quest with speedy success, for they were soon found
a little distance from the road, and taken without resistance, burdened
with articles of jewelry, plate, and the like, from neighboring houses.
Encumbered with prisoners, who had to be guarded, he had only
about thirty men left disposable for the surprise of the squadron I
have mentioned, reported over fifty strong. Nevertheless he was not
diverted from his purpose; but as they approached its immediate
vicinity. Captain Jackson, the commander of his escort, stated to him
that he was requested on the part of the men to say they would not
attack the enemy if their general led them, for in a night attack he
would be exposed to danger which they were altogether unwilling he
should incur at that time; that if he would remain where he was they
would cheerfully execute his orders. Acceding to this wish, Forrest,
halting by the wayside, directed Captain Jackson to do the work in
hand, their prey being less than, a quarter of a mile distant. Presently
Jackson was close upon his adversary without being observed, but
then a Federal soldier, springing up, fired his pistol. The escort
rushed upon the enemy, as, startled by their comrade, they rose from
their blankets and caught up their arms. An animated fight resulted^
which v/as brought to a close in a few minutes, however, by the com-
plete success of the Confederates, thirty-five of the enemy being
either killed or wounded, and five captured, witli the loss on our side
of only one man wounded.
Rapidly resuming his march, in the course of the next eight miles
Forrest met and captured some more of the plundering "bummers,"
so that the fruits of the night's operations were at least sixty, either
killed, wounded, or'captured.
Reaching Plantersville early on the next morning (3d), Forrest
halted until three o'clockîn the afternoon to give his men and animals
food and rest. Then resuming his line of retreat toward Marion,
scarcely had he gone a mile when he came in collision with the ad-
vance of the Federal brigade which had been detached some days
previous under General McCook. After their old fashion the escort
promptly charged upon thejadversary in their road, and killed, wounded,
and captured at least twenty; but further combat was altogether too un-
equal to be adventured, and Forrest swiftly withdrew by the left flank
through the woods. It was now four p. m., and pushing on all night
crossing the Cahaba Riverhe reached Marion at ten a. m. on the 4th.

Here he found Jackson's Division, Chalmers with Stark's Brigade, and
the entire train and artillery intact that he had brought from Mississippi.
After driving McCook across the Cahaba River, near Centerville,
as previously mentioned, Jackson's Division, moving southward along
the west bank of that stream, arrived at Marion on the 3dthe day
after the fall of Selma. Forrest's command remained in that vicinity
for the week following, closely guarding the line of the Cahaba from
Marion to its mouth. The Second and Twenty-first Tennessee Regi-
ment camped, during its stay in that vicinity, some six or seven miles
south of Marion.
36
It was from this camp that Lieutenant T.
J.
Carman (Company E)
was sent, with a detachment, to destroy the ferryboats along the Ala-
bama River between Cahaba and Iron Bluff.
About the nth of April, Forrest put his command in motion again,
westward, from Marion, and on the 15th he established his headquar-
ters at Gainesville.
After halting a few days near Greensboro, Jackson's Division
crossed the Tombigbee River and encamped, for about ten days, near
Sumterville ;
*
and thence it moved to the vicinity of Gainesville.
The LAST CAMPING PLACE of the gallant remains of the Second and
Twenty-first Tennessee was in a beautiful woods on the west side of
the Tombigbee River, and a short distance south of Gainesville, in
Sumpter County, Alabama.
In the meantime, Lee's army had surrendered to Grant at Appo-
mattox Court-house, on the 9th of April;
J.
E. Johnston and Sherman
had, on the i8th, in North Carolina, agreed upon an armistice; and
Mobile had fallen into the hands of the enemy about the
25
th. All
had now to see that the end was near at hand ; the end of toilsome
marches; the end of night watches; the end of fierce battles with an
enemy always superior m numbers ; the end of years of hardship and
peril ; but, alas ! the end, also, of all the proud hopes, which had in-
spired them throughout, of political independence.
General Taylor having previously completed negotiations with Gen-
cal Canby for the cessation of hostilities by the Confederate forces of
his department on the same terms as had been stipulated between Gen-
erals Johnston and Sherman, Brigadier-General E. S. Dennis reached
Gainesville on the 9th of May as the Federal Commissioner to execute
the proper paroles. General Jackson was appointed a Commissioner
on the part of the Confederates to authenticate muster rolls and other
necessary papers, and the work of paroling began ; and in this man-
ner : muster rolls, in duplicate, of each general and his staff; of each
regimental staff; of each quartermaster and commissary, and their em-
ployes; and of each company were made, and a copy furnished each
Commissioner. To each non-commissioned officer and private was
then issued a certificate of parole, bearing the number opposite their
names respectively upon the muster-roll and signed by the two com-
missioners.
The officers, however, were required to sign duplicate obligations,
as follows
:
*Aboiit fourteen miles south-west of Gainesville.
"I, the undersigned prisoner of war, belonging to the Army of the
Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, having
been surrendered by Lieutenant-General R. Taylor, Confederate
States Army, commanding said department, to Major-General E. R. S.
Canby, United States Army, commanding Army and Division of
West Mississippi, do hereby give my solemn parole
of
honor that I
will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in
any military capacity whatever against the United States of America,
or render aid to the enemy of the latter until properly exchanged in
such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective au-
thorities."
This was then approved by both Commissioners, and General Den-
nis added his indorsement, that the officer in question would "not be
disturbed by the United States authorities as long as he observed his
parole and the laws in force where he resides."
The same day of the arrival of General Dennis at his headquarters,
General Forrest issued his farewell address to his troops in the follow-
ing language
:
"Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry Corps,
Gainesville, Alabama, May 9th, 1865.
"Soldiers: By an agreement made between Lieutenant-General
Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and
East Louisiana, and Major-General Canby, commanding United States
forces, the troops of this department have been surrendered.
"
I do not think it proper or necessary, at this time, to refer to the
causes which have reduced us to this extremity; nor is it now a matter
of material consequence to us how such results were brought about.
That we are beaten is a self-evident fact, and any further resistance
on our part would be justly regarded as the very height of folly and
rashness.
"The armies of Generals Lee and Johnston having surrendered,
you are the last of all the troops of the Confederate States Army, east
of the Mississippi River, to lay down your arms.
"The cause for which you have so long and manfully struggled,
and for which you have braved dangers, endured privations and suf-
ferings and made so many sacrifices, is to-day hopeless. The govern-
ment which we sought to establish and perpetuate is at an end. Rea-
son dictates and humanity demands that no more blood be shed.
Fully realizing in feeling that such is the case, it is your duty and
mine to lay down our armssubmit to the powers 'that be'and to
aid in restoring peace and establishing law and order throughout the
land.
"The terms upon which \oa are surrendered are favorable, and
should be satisfactory and acceptable to all. They manifest a spirit
of magnanimity and liberality on the part of the Federal authorities
which should be met, on our part, by a faithful compliance with all
the stipulations and conditions therein expressed. As your com-
mander, I sincerely hope that every officer and soldier of my com-
mand will cheerfully obey the orders given and carry out in good faith
all the terms of the cartel.
"Those who neglect the terms and refuse to be paroled, may as-
suredly expect, when arrested, to be sent north and imprisoned.
"Let those who are absent from their commands, from whatever
cause, report at once to this place or to Jackson, Mississippi; or, if
too remote from either, to the nearest United States post or garrison
for paroles.
"Civil war, such as we have just passed through, naturally engen-
ders feelings of animosity, hatred and revenge. It is our duty to di-
vest ourselves of all such feelings, and so far as in our power to do sO'
cultivate friendly feelings toward those with whom we have so long
contended, and heretofore so widely, but honestly, differed. Neigh-
borhood feuds, personal animosities and private differences should be
blotted out; and, when you return home, a manly, straightforward
course of conduct will secure the respect even of your enemies.
Whatever your responsibilities may be to government, to society, or to
individuals, meet them like men.
"The attempt made to establish a separate and independent Con-
federation has failed, but the consciousness of having done your duty
faithfully, and to the end, will in some measure repay for the hard-
ships you have undergone.
"In bidding you farewell rest assured that you carr)^ with you my
best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. Without in any
way referring to the merits of the cause in which Ave have been en-
gaged, your courage and determination, as exhibited on many hard
fought fields, have elicited the respect and admiration of friend and
foe. And I now, cheerfully and gratefully, acknowledge my indebt-
ness to the officers and men of my command, whose zeal, fidelity and
unflinching bravery have been the great source of my past success in
arms.
"I have never on the field of battle sent you where I was unwill-
The Final Campaign.
565
ing to go myself; nor would I now advise you to a course which I felt
myself unwilling to pursue. You have been good soldiers; you can be
good citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your honor, and the govern-
ment to which you have surrendered can afford to be, and will be mag-
nanimous. N. B. Forrest,
Lieutenant- General.
The utmost eagerness now pervaded the command to procure their
paroles. General Dennis, found to be a courteous gentleman, did all
in his power to accelerate the work assigned, and in a manner most
acceptable to his late adversaries. And by the i6th of May about
eight thousand (including about six hundred of Scott's Louisiana Cav-
alry) officers and men had been paroled and allowed to return to their
homes with their horses and other private property.
In closing his sketch of the .Second Tennessee, Lieutenant Geo. F.
Hager (Company G) says
:
"We received our paroles on the loth of May, 1865, if not with
victory, at least and above all, with honor. . . . We were not
long in getting ready to start home, as some of us had not been there
since early in 1861; but we started with sad thoughts, our memory
wandering to the commencement of the war, when we had gone out
with so many noble young men, several hundred of whom we were
forced to leave behindtheir bodies scattered on the various fields of
action, many of them unburied. They gave up their lives to the
'Lost Cause,' and their bones are decayed or bleaching over Tennes-
see, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia.
"I may here add that the organization and discipline of the Second
Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry were not excelled by any other in the
field. Whatever the danger, or however great the hardship, the regi-
ment always stood with firmness and obeyed with alacrity. Confidence
prevailed between officers and men, each feeling proud of his connec-
tion with the old Second. It was composed of young men* and
commanded by young men who were called from the plow handles,
work-shops, and counting-rooms of Middle and West Tennessee.
None were trained in military schools ; our training was in active ser-
vice. As the sons of Tennessee, we responded to her call as promptly
as we would to the call of the United States Government to-day.
How faithfully we served her we are willing the world shall say. Our
motto was: ' My country, right or wrong I am with thee.'
*I would suppose that half were under twenty-one when tliey entered the
service. R. R. H.
"This ends my brief sketch of the Second Regiment of Tennessee
Cavalry that so gallantly contended for what we believed to be right,
and never, in camp or field, brought reproach on Tennessee as a
'Volunteer State.' Each man seemed determined that no act of his
should tarnish her good name. To the brave ones who fell we drop a
soldier's tear. Peace be with them."*
The last battle flag of the Confederacy, east of the Mississippi
River, was furled on the i6th of May. The words of Father Ryan
somewhat express the feelings of the Confederate soldier:
The Conquered Banner.
Furl that banner, for 'tis weary,
Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary;
Furl it, fold it, it is best,
For there's not a man to wave it,
And there's not a sword to save it,
And there's not one left to lave it
'
In the blood which heroes gave it,
And its foes now scorn and brave it;
Furl it, hide it, let it rest.
Take that banner down
'tis tattered.
Broken is its staff and shattered.
And the valiant hosts are scattered
Over whom it floated high.
O 'tis hard for us to fold it,
Hard to think there's none to hold it,
Hard that those who once unrolled it
Now must furl it with a sigh.
For, though conquered, they adore it,
Love the cold, dead hands that bore it,
Weep for those who fell before it,
Pardon those who trailed and tore it.
But O wildly they deplore it
Now who furl and fold it sol
Furl that banner! True, 'tis gory,
Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory,
And 'twill live in song and story,
Though its folds are in the dust.
For its fame on brightest pages,
Penned by poets and by sages,
Shall go sounding down the ages,
Furl its folds though now we must.
Furl that banner softly, slowly;
Treat it gently; it is holy,
For it droops above the dead.
Touch it not, unfold it never
;
Let it droop there, furled forever,
For its people's hopes are dead."
'Military Annals of Tennessee,
pp. 623 and 624.
Rolls of Honor. )67
ROLLS OK HONOR.
SECOND TENNESSEE CAVALRY.
Colonel C. R. Barteau, w. four times.*
Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Morton, w. at Paducah, Ky., and at Tory fight Oc-
tober
25,
1863. (See Appendix A.)
Major Wm. Parrish, d. near Okolona, Miss., May
9, 1864.
Captains
Abbey, R. H., d. in 1862.
COMPANY A.
G. H. Morton and N. Oswell.
Craighead, W.
J.,
d. during the war.
Edmonson, W. A., k. while on detailed
duty in Ky. in 1861.
French, Lieutenant A. H., w. at Mud
Creek and near Harrisburg July 13,
1864.
Ploiiik, L N., k. at Shiloh, courier for
General Stevens.
Kenner, John, w. mortally near Roena,
Ky., in 1861.
Kelly, Pat, w. while courier between
Cumberland Gap and Jacksboro, in
i86i.
COMPANY B
Kimbro, Thomas, c. and k. at Gallatin,
Tenn., as a guerilla, by order of Gen.
Payne.
Little, D., k. at Britton's Lane Sept.
I, 1862.
Maxey, Wm. O., d. during the war.
Sykes,
J.
W., d. during the war.
Tarpley, Robert, k. at Shiloh, courier
for General Stevens.
Tate, James, k. at Jamestown, Ky.,
Dec. 26, 1861.
Webb,
J.
B., k. at Britton's Lane Sept.
I, 1862.
Captains: Wm. Parrish and T. E. Underwood.
C.-ildwell,
J.
R., k. at Booneville, Miss.,
May, 1862.
Cowles, James, k.*
Dodson, Tim, k.*
Fleming, Lem, w.*
Frankland, Joseph, w.---
Marks, W. Perry, k. at Memphis Aug.
21, 1864.
Mebane, Alex., w.*
McGan,
J.
L., w.*'
McAllister,
J.
H., d. in Jan., 1864, in
prison at Alton, 111.
Orum, James, w. mortally at Harris-
burg, Miss.
Pollard, N. N., w. at Harrisburg.
Polk, Tump., k. at Spring Hill Nov.
18, 1864.
Parrish, Major Wm., d. May
9,
1S64.
Reid, W. W., w.^'
Smithson, Lieutenant G. W., w.*
Tichenor, G. W., w.*
Wall, Lieutenant S. B., w. twice.
Williams, Wm. A., k. at Fort Pillow
April, 1864.
*J.
L. McGan, who sent me the roll of Ewing's Company, failed to state
where those followed by a star (*) were killed or wounded.
COMPANY C.
Captain, M. W.'McKnight, w. three times.
Allison, Captain T. M., k. at home by
'
Kennedy, W. C, w. in 1864.
Federals in 1862. Keaton, Coon, d. in prison.
Ashford, Cahal, d. in 1862.
Brison, R., d. in prison.
Cavender,
J.
H., w. at Tory fight in
October, 1863.
Davenport, Geo., w. at Bear Creek in
1862.
Davenport, R., vv. at Tory fight.
Dennis, Lieutenant Sam, \v. at Harris-
burg July 14, 1864.
Ewing, E. L., w. near Columbia, Tenn.,
Oct. 2, 1864.
Elkins, T. D., w. at Paducah, Ky.,
March
25, 1864.
Francis, M. H., w. at Harrisburg.
Francis,
J. J.,
\v. at Harrisburg.
Gan, Jim,
k. in Wilson County, Tenn.
Grisham, O., k. at Harrisburg
July 14,
1864.
Hancock, C. E., d. in Franklin County,
Ala., June 4,
1864.
Hancock, W. C, k. at Harrisburg
July 14, 1864.
Hancock, R. R., \\ . at Paris Landing
Oct. 30, 1864.
Harrison, W. W., k. at Memphis Aug.
21, 1864.
Harrison, Lieutenant
J.
S., w. at Har-
risburg
July 14, 1S64.
Herndon,
Joe
W., w. July 14, 1864.
Hawkins, W. W., w. at Fort Pillow.
Hawkins,
J.
E.
J.,
k. near Auburn in
December, 1864.
Hays,
J.
T., d. in 1S61.
Hearman, John, d. at Mill Springs Jan.
6, 1862.
Lorance, M., w.
July 14, 1864.
McKnight,
John N., w. at Paducah,
Ky., March
25, 1864.
McKnight, L. W., w. mortally March
25, 1864.
McKnight, A. B., w. Lost one leg
April 2, 1865.
McLin,
J.
D., w. in 1864.
Odom, B. F., k. at Paducah, Ky.,
March
25, 1864.
Odom, John H., w. at Harrisburg.
Odom, James H., w. at Harrisburg.
Odom, H. C, w. at Memphis.
Odom, S. C, w. at Mud Creek, Miss.,
and Paducah, Ky.
Rich, W. E., \v. near Harrisburg
July
13, 1864.
Richardson, M., d. in 1861 or 1862.
Stevens,
J.
W., w. at Paducah, Ky.
Stevens, H. G., w. at Cherokee, Ala.
and Memphis, Tenn.
Stanley, John, d. in prison.
Thomas, A.
J.,
w. at Harrisburg.
Thomas, E. D., w. at Cherokee, Ala.,
Oct. 21, 1863.
Thomas, C. F., w. at Fort Pillow April
12, 1864.
Turney, Lieutenant H. L. W., w. at
Fort Pillow and Memphis Aug. 21,
1864.
Wamack, W. L., w. at Fort Pillow.
Willard, Nelson, w. at Corinth Oct.
5,
1862.
COMPANY D.
Captain, W. T. Rickman, w.
July 13, 1864.
Ayers, Wm., k. at Paducah, Ky.
Bullock, Lieut. Ed., w., mortally, July
15, 1864.
Brown, Geo., k. at Tory fight Oct.
25,
863 .
Brown, Wm., w. at Medon and mor-
tally w. at Harrisburg.
Brown, Thomas, d. in prison.
Carr, John D., w. April 2, 1865. .
Corum, Abiga, d. in 1862.
Rolls of Honor. 569
Cockes, Wm. I., d. in 1862.
Cannon, Dave, d. at Corinth, 1862.
Cloay, John, k. at Shiloh.
Cantrell, Lieut.
J.
M., w. at Harris-
burg, Miss.
Dodd, Lieut.
J.
K., w. at Medon and
Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864.
Dickerson,
J.
R., mortally w. at Cher-
okee, Ala., October, 1863.
Eaton, Alex., d. at Corinth, 1862.
Franklin, John, k. at Shiloh.
Hunter,
J.
C, k. at Shiloh.
Love, Lieut. Geo., k. at Fort Pillow,
Love, S. W., w. at Paducah.
Lee, John, k. at Town Creek,
July 15.
1864.
Renfroe, Pleas., d. at Corinth.
Ryan, James, w.
July 13, 1864.
Shaw, James, d. in 1862.
Thompson, John, k. at Shiloh.
Young, Rich., d. November, 1861.
Young,
Joe,
d. March, 1862.
Youree, W. B., transferred to Second
Tennessee Infantry and k. at Peach
Tree Creek, Ga.
April 12, 1864.
COMPANY E.
Captains: W. A. DeBow and G. E. Seay ; the former was w. at Harrisburg,
July 14, 1864.
Burrow,
Joe,
w. at Britton's Lane,
Tenn., Sept. i, 1862.
Elankenship, Joel, w. at Britton's Lane.
Brown, Burnett, w. at Shiloh and d. at
Corinth.
Bass, Rubin, w. at Courtland, Ala., in
July, 1862.
Bass, John, w. April i, 1865.
Carr, Nute, \\-. at Paducah.
Duke, Wm., w. at Fort Pillow.
Dalton, Robert, w. near Tupelo, Miss.,
May
5. 1S63.
Hall, Dick, d. at Corinth.
Harland, Steve, w. at Cherokee, Ala.
Hollin, Charlie, k. by Jay-hawkers.
Luster, Wm., w. at Medon, Tenn.
Maddox, Joe,
k. at Medon, Tenn.
Mills,
J.
P., w.
Ouhls, Wm., d. at Corinth.
Piper, Sam, w. at Shiloh and d. at Cor-
inth.
Stanford, Tennessee, d. at Columbus,
Miss.
Stalcup, Wm., w. July 14, 1864.
Violett,
J.
Wm., d. at Corinth.
Austin, IJeut.
J.
T.,
ham. Miss., April 24, 1863, and w.
again July 13, 1864.
Bond, Wm., w. at Harrisburg.
Brinkley,
J.
K., w. at Fort Pillow,
April 12, 1864.
Briley, Elisha, mortally w. at Pulaski,
Tenn.
Denning, Lieut. John E., k. at Harris-
burg, Miss., July 14, 1864.
Edwards, Wm., d. in prison.
Griffin, M., d. May
3,
1862.
Hall, Simon, d. at Ramon, Miss.
Harden, Robert, d. during the war.
COMPANY F.
Captain, John A. Brinkley.
at Birming- Hames, Andrew
J.,
k. at Mud Creek,
June 20, 1863.
Johnson, John, d. in 1862.
Kelley, Samuel R., d. in Oct., 1862.
Link, James, w. at Fort Pillow.
Link, Thomas, w. at Cherokee, Ala.,
October, 1863.
McMillen,
J.
D., w.
Owens, Wm., k. in Sumner Co., Tenn.
Warren, Wash., w. at Okolona, Feb.
22, 1864.
Wilkerson, Charles, w. at Shiloh.
Williams, G. B., k. in Kentucky, in
December, 1864.
COMPANY G.
Captains: Tliomas Puryear, mortally w. at Cherokee, Ala., Oct. 21, 1863;
J.
M. Eastes, mortally w. near Harrisburg, Miss., July 13, 1864;
B. H. Moore, \v. at Franklin, Tenn., Nov.
30, 1S64.
Averett, Jared, k. at Martin's Blufl',
Ala., Nov. 8, 1864.
Bowen, Lieut. John, d. in 1862.
Clark, Billie, d. in 1862.
Drury, James, k. July 13, 1864.
Driver, Daniel, missing at Corinth.
Eastes, T.
J.,
w. Aug. 8, 1863, while
on a scout.
Grant,
J.
W., w.
Huddleston,
J.
A. [Coon], w. at Mur-
freesboro, 1864.
Hogg, Vit, k. in Smith Co., Tenn.
Hodges, Bob, d. in 1862.
Nichol, Billie, k. at Murfreesboro, Dec.
7,
1S64.
Petway, T. W., w. April 2, 1865.
Pope, N. C, w. at Paducah.
Reeves, David, k. in Tory fight.
Robertson, Wm. R., k. by Jayhawkers,
Oct. I, 1862.
Saddler, W. C, \v. while scout for Bu-
ford, 1S64.
Sanders,
J.
A., d. in prison.
Thompson, Wm., d. from sun-stroke,
July 13, 1864.
Trout, Bird, d. July 3,
1862.
Trousdale, Harvy, d. in 1862.
West, W. Claib, w. at Harrisburg^.
July 14, 1864.
COMPANY H.
Captain, B. Edwards.
Gutter, Wm., d. April 22, 1863, in
Walker Co., Ala.
Henery, August, d. July i, 1S63, in
Walker Co., Ala.
Rutledge, S. A., d. April 5, 1863, at
Columbus, Miss.
Roberts, D. R., d. May
4,
1S63, at
Smithville, Ala.
Thornton, W. M., d. Aug. I, 1S63.
Touney,
J.
R., d. April 12, 1862, in
Walker Ca., Ala.
Townley, John I^., d. Oct. 29. 1S63, in
Walker Co., Ala.
Williams, W. H., d. March 22, 1863, in
Columbus, Miss.*
COMPANY I.
Captain, S. H. Reeves, w. at Paducah, Ky., INIarch,
25,
i{
Betticks, John, w. at Paducah March
25, 1864.
Cook, Frank, drowned in Duck River
on Hood's retreat.
Fullerton, Robert B., k. at Athens, Ala.
Glover, P. T., w. at Murfreesboro.
Lattimer,
J.
Smith, d. in prison.
Moffatt,
J.
F.,,w. at Okolona Feb. 22,
1864.
Moore, N. K., w. near Holly Springs,.
?tliss.
COMPANY K.
Captain, O. B. Farris, w. at Harrisburg, Miss., July 14, 1864.
Lieutenant F. M. McRee, w. and c. at Hollow Tree Gap, Tenn., Dec.
17,
l{
'The above is taken from
"
Military Annals of Tennessee," page 625.
AI'PENDIX A.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
In order to avoid making our volume too large, I shall have to
necessarily make the following sketches shortmere notes. After
every effort I have failed to obtain sketches of many of our noble and
gallant officers.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST.
[I take the following notes from the "Campaigns of General For-
rest," for the benefit of my readers who may not have had the pleas-
ure of reading that valuable work.]
N. B. Forrest, great-grandson of Shadrach Forrest, grandson of
Nathan Forrest, and son of William and Mariam (Beck) Forrest, was
born on the 13th of
July, 1821, near Duck River, at Chapel Hill, in
what was then Bedford, but now Marshall County, Tennessee. Bed-
ford's father removed, in 1S34, from Tennessee to Tippah County,
North Mississippi, where he (William) died in 1S37, leaving a widow,
seven sons, and three daughters, and to these was added, four months
later, another son
Jeffrey. Bedford and a twin-brother were the

oldest, and owing to the impoverished condition of their father their
education was quite limited. In the autumn of 1842 N. B. Forrest
commenced business with one of his uncles in Hernando, Mississippi.
He married Miss Mary Ann Montgomery on the 25th of September,
1845.
^''^
the spring of 1852 he quit Hernando and established him-
self in Memphis, Tennessee, as a broker in real estate and a dealer
in slaves, while at the same time cultivating a cotton plantation near
that city. Having accumulated a considerable fortune by
1859,
he
bought two extensive plantations in Coahoma County, Mississippi, and
began planting on a large scale
growing a thousand bales of cotton

in 1861.
At Memphis, oa the 14th of June, t86i, N. B. Forrest enlisted as
a private in Dr.
J.
S. Wliite's Cavalry Company, which, in less than a
week afterward, became a part of the garrison at Randolph, Tennes-
see. About the xoth of July private Forrest was requested by Gov-
(571)^
572 R. E. Hancock's Diary,
ernor Harris to undertake to raise a regiment of volunteer cavalry,
and the second week in October he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of
a battalion of eight companies, from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
and Texas. He was at Fort, Donelson with his battalion by the last
of October, and before the middle of November he had reached Hop-
kinsville, Kentucky, where his regiment was completed by the addi-
tion of two more companies. Returning to Fort Donelson, taking
an active part in the various engagements at that place, and refusing
to surrender, Colonel Forrest, on the 1 6th of February, 1862, marched
his regiment (except one company of Texans), unmolested, from Fort
Donelson. On the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, he took an active
part in the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, and he was severely wounded
on the 8th.
In June, 1862, Colonel Forrest was ordered to report to General
Kirby Smith at Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was placed in com-
mand of a brigade of cavalryfour regiments. Swinging around by
the way of McMinnville and Woodbury, he captured the Federal gar-
rison at Murfreesboro on the 13th of
July.
He remained in Middle
Tennessee until General Bragg passed going into Kentucky. For-
rest was commissioned Brigadier-General on the 21st of
July,
1862.
Accompanying General Bragg as far as Bardstown, Kentucky, Gen-
eral Forrest was there ordered (about the 27
th of September) to return
to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to take charge of the troops in that
vicinity.
It was in December, 1862, that he made his famous expedition into
West Tennessee, killing and capturing two thousand five hundred of
the enemy, besides doing much other damage to General U. S. Grant's
communications.
In the early part of 1863 he took part in the actions at Dover,
Thompson's Station, Brentwood, and Franklin, in Middle Tennessee.
After chasing about one thousand four hundred and sixty-six cavalry
(under Colonel A. D. Streight) through North Alabama, in the di-
rection of Rome, Georgia, General Forrest captured them on the 3d
of May,
1863,
before they had reached their destination. Forrest
had about five hundred effectives. After conveying his prisoners to
Rome, Georgia, he returned to Middle Tennessee, where he remained
until Bragg fell back to Chattanooga. As usual, he discharged his
full duty at the battle of Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of Sep-
tember. Soon after this action he was transferred, at his own request,
to North Mississippi, and the writeV has already given an account of
his operations from this to the close of the war.
Appendix A. 573
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES RONALD CHALMERS.
J.
R. Chalmers, son of the Hon. Judge Joseph W. Chalmers (who
was in the United States Senate under Polk's administration), was born
in Halifax Count}', Virginia, on the nth of January, 1831. He is
the oldest and only survivor of seven childrenfour sons and three
daughters. In
1834
or 1S35 he removed with his father to Jackson,
Tennessee, and thence to Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi,
in
1839,
where he was sent to school and prepared for college, which
he entered at Columbia, South Carolina, in September,
1848, where
he graduated in December, 1851,
taking the second honor in a class
of about fifteen. Returning to Holly Springs, he at once entered
upon the study of law in the office of Barton & Chalmers, the firm
being composed of his father and the great and gifted Roger Barton.
In 1852 he Avas a delegate to the Democratic Convention which nomi-
nated Franklin Pierce for President. The next year he began to
practice law at Holly Springs, and in
1857
he was elected District
Attorney of the Seventh Judicial District, over several worthy and
popular competitors. He was soon recognized as one of the ablest
prosecuting attorneys in the State, and greatly increased and strength-
ened his popularity. He was a delegate from DeSoto County to the
Mississippi State Convention, which passed the ordinance of secession,
in January, 1861, and chairman of the military committee in that body.
The subject of this sketch was elected Colonel of the Ninth Mis-
sissippi Regiment of infantry, which was the first that entered the
Confederate service from that State. His first engagement was a suc-
cessful attack upon Fort Pickens, on Santa Rosa Island, south of
Pensacola, Florida.
Chalmers was appointed Brigadier-General on the 13th of February,
1862, and was in command of the forces that drove Sherman and his
gunboats back from Eastport, Mississippi, on March 12th, and thus
saved Bear Creek bridge from destruction, and the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad from falling into the hands of the enemy. At
the battle of Shiloh he commanded the extreme right brigade, and
made the last charge on Sunday that was made by the Confederates
on that eventful day. Balls passed through his clothing, and his horse
was shot from under him on Monday. When the Confederate army
fell back to Tupelo, Bragg assigned Chalmers to a cavalry command
for a short time, but having been recalled to take charge of his infantry
brigade, he went with Bragg on his Kentucky campaign. The former
made an unsuccessful attack upon Mumfordsville, and was compli-
mented by the latter for what he did. At the battle of Murfreesboro
General Chalmers was severely wounded, and before he had fully re-
covered from the effect of his wound he was assigned by Bragg to the
command of the cavalry in North-west Mississippi, at the special re-
quest of the Governor of that StatePettus.
General Chalmers now went to work in his new field and organized
the "squads" and companies into regiments, which afterward, under
his command, formed a prominent part in that terrible column that
enabled Forrest to perform his wondrous feats and made his name
immortal, causing him to go down the ages as the "Wizard of the
Saddle." General Chalmers commanded the first division of Forrest's
Cavalry from January, 1864, to the close of the war, as fully set forth
in the preceding pages of this work, to which I refer the reader for
the balance of the military career of this gallant and noble officer.
He accepted the terms of surrender in good faith, and returned to his
home in North Mississippi, where he again began the practice of his
professionthe law.
In 1872 he was on the electoral ticket in Mississippi for Horace
Greeley; in 1875
^^ ^^^ elected to the State Senate; in 1876
he was
elected to Congress, from what is known as the "Shoe-string District,"
and again in 1878,
without opposition. In 1880 he was returned as
elected, but was unseated in a contest by John R. Lynch, the Repub-
lican candidate. General Chalmers then removed from Vicksburg to
Sardis, Mississippi, and in 1882 became an independent Democratic
candidate for Congress against Y. H. Manning, the regular Demo-
cratic nominee, and after a close, e.xciting canvass was elected, but by
some sort of manipulation or legerdemain at Jackson by the Governor
and Secretary of State, he was refused his certificate of election,
though he was finally seated by a Democratic House, after a most ex-
citing contest between Manning and himself. In 1884 and 1886 he
was again a candidate against the Hon.
J.
B. Morgan, the regular
Democratic nominee, and while there is but little doubt in the minds
of his friends that he was elected both times, yet the certificate of
election was given to his opponent.
As a speaker, General Chalmers is fluent, bold, pointed, and fear-
less. In his style he draws occasionally upon a cultivated and
exuberant fancy, but indulges more frequently in pointed and racy
anecdote. Asa friend, he is sincere, tri-e, and devoted; as an enemy,
fearless and inflexible; but at all times just and generous, as ready to
Appendix A. 575
atone for a wrong, when he is convinced that he has committed one,
as he is, upon the other hand, steadfast and immovable when satisfied
that he is right.
I take the following from a letter recently received from Colonel
C. R. Barteau:
"I meet General Chalmers frequently, and he inquires about your
book. As I know him better, I love and appreciate the man. His
talent is of a high order, his character spotless, and his moral courage
beyond all question."
The general is now
(1887)
engaged in the practice of law in tlie
city of Memphis, Tennessee, in connection with his former comrade-
in-arms and almost lifetime friend, Colonel Thomas W. Harris. They
are recognized as among the leaders and most efficient of the Southern
bar.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FRANK NATHANIEL McNAIRY.
F. N. McNairv was born about September, 1825, in Nashville,
Tennessee. His father, Nathaniel McNairy, was among the early
settlers of Nashville, and once owned nearly all of what is now West
Nashville. Flis mother's maiden name was Catherine Bell Hobson.
Frank had three brothersWilliam H., John S., and Robert Currin;
and three sisters, who by marriage became Mrs. Harding, Mrs. Porter,
and Mrs. Kirkman. The seven are now
(1887)
all dead.
After attending school at Nashville, until about fifteen years old,
the subject of this sketch entered Charles W. Green's Boarding School,
at Jamaica Plain, near Boston, Massachusetts. The writer is not able
to state just how long he remained at this school, but when through
he returned to Nashville. At the breaking out of our late war he
resided on his farm, four miles from Nashville, on the Granny White
turnpike. The place of his residence was known as "Vinegar Hill."
F. N. McNairy enlisted as a private in the first company of cavalry
which was raised in Tennessee for the Confederate service. This
company was organized at Nashville, about the first of May, 1861, by
electing F. N. McNairy'Captain. When the First Battalion of Ten-
nessee Cavalry was organized, at Thorn Hill, about the first week in
July,
he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and his company became
Company A, commanded by Captain W. Hooper Harris.
I refer the reader to the first pages of this work for an account of
the part taken by McNairy's Battalion in Zollicoffer's two campaigns
into Kentucky. On account of ill health he started home on furlough,
from Mill Springs, Kentucky, on the 2d of Januar}^ 1862. He re-
joined the command at Gainesboro, Tennessee, about the last of same
month, and remained in command of First Battalion until a few days
after its reorganization at Jacmto,
Mississippi, May 14th, 1862. He
then returned to Middle Tennessee, and was killed, in February,
1863,
at Fort Donelson (or Dover) when Generals Wheeler and Forrest at-
tacked that place. His remains were brought to Nashville for inter-
ment. He was temporarily on Forrest's staff when he was killed.
Colonel McNairy was kind, generous, and brave. The writer does
not remember of ever hearing him speak harshly or insultingly to one
of his men. In fact he was naturally too kind-hearted to exercise that
strict discipline which makes volunteers efficient soldiers.
COLONEL JAMES BEARING BENNETT.
J.
D. Bennett, son of Howard and Rosamond Bennett, was born
about the 9th of November, 18
16,
in Campbell County, Virginia.
He was educated in the ordinary country schools. His father's fam-
ily came to Smith County, Tennessee, about 1832.
The war with the Seminole Indians of Florida broke out in
1835,
and continued for four years. The subject of this sketch was in this
"Seminole" or "Florida" war. He entered the service of the
United States as private in Colonel William Bearing's Regiment,
which, setting out from Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, about
1836 or '7, went to Florida and took part in the above named war.
I do not know how long Bennett, who got to be captain of his com-
pany, fought the Seminoles, but on his return to Tennessee he taught
schoolfirst at Lebanon and then at Carthage. Then after engaging
in the mercantile business at the latter place for a short time he moved
to Hartsville, then Sumner, now Trousdale County, where he contin-
ued in the goods business until the breaking out of the
'
' War between
the States."
He married Miss Martha Hutchison, daughter of William and
Nancy Hutchison, on the 30th of July, 1844,
in Sumner County,
nine miles west of Gallatin. The next year he bought and moved to
a farm near Hartsville, where his widow now
(1887)
lives. Having
been very successful, both as a farmer and a merchant, he had, by
1861, accumulated a considerable amount of property.
On the 19th of October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of
the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, which was then en-
camped at Eperson Springs, Macon County, Tennessee. As I have
Appendix A. 577
previously given a sketch of the movements and operations of his bat-
taUon (which see), I will not repeat it here, but suffice it to say that
when the First and Seventh Battalions were consolidated, at or near
Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of June, 1862, Lieutenant-Colonel
Bennett resigned and returned home, on account of ill health. But
soon finding, however, that he could not remain at home in peace, on
account of the near proximity of the enemy, he raised another com-
manda regimentand entered the service again under General
John
H. Morgan, who was then encamped at Hartsville, but soon after
joined General Bragg at Murfreesboro, and a Federal brigade of in-
fantry occupied Hartsville. On the 30th of November, 1862, with
thirteen hundred men, General Morgan and Colonel Bennettthe
latter taking a conspicuous part with his regimentcaptured this
Federal brigade
(2,100)
at Hartsville after a severe contest of an hour
and a half.
The colonel left home for the last time, as it proved, on the 19th of
December, 1862, to go with General Morgan on an expedition into
Kentucky. Fearing that he would not be able to stand the hardships
and exposures of an expedition in midwinter on account of his delicate
health, his friends endeavored to prevail upon him to remain at
home. "No," replied he, "my men are going, and I will go with
them as long as I am able to ride." Finding that he could go no fur-
ther, he stopped at Colonel Patton's, near Elizabethtown, Kentucky,
where he died of typhoid-pneumonia, on January 23d, 1863. The
ladies of Elizabethtown furnished a metallic coffin, and a faithful serv-
ant
('
Jeff"*) brought his remains back to his wife. Reaching Harts-
ville on the 30th, his remains were buried the next day, in the familv
graveyard, about one miie from town. In February,
1877,
Mrs. Ben-
nett had the remains of her husband disinterred for reinterment in the
Hartsville Cemetery. Notwithstanding it had been fourteen years
since his death, his remains were in a state of perfect preservation and
recognizable by all who knew him. To mourn his loss he left a wife
and eight childrenfive sons, William H., C. Linch, Robert A., Al-
bert G., and James D.,
Jr.,
and three daughters, Nannie, now Mrs.
Corley, Mary, and Mattie.
'Colonel Bennett took Jeff with him when he first entered the service in
1861, and on account of his being so good and true the Colonel gave Jeff his
freedom, but requested him to take his remains home and remain with Mrs.
Bennett as long as she wanted him. Jefl" agreed to do as requested, and was
true to his promise. He now owns eighty acres of the Bennett farm.
37
578
R. K. Hancock's Diary.
In conclusion, I wish to say that Colonel Bennett was very kind,
extremely generous, and a special friend to the poor.
'
He," says one
of his neighbors, "did more for the poor than any man I ever saw.
It is to him that I owe my start in the world and all that I now have."
He was a kind, indulgent, and affectionate father as well as a de-
voted husband.
COLONEL CLARK RUSSELL BARTEAU.
C. R. Barteau was born on the 7th of April,
1835,
i^ Cuyahoga
County, near Cleveland, Ohio. His mother, Lavinia, died in
1846,
and his father, Russell W. Barteau, died in 1858. Thus four children
were left aloneClark, the eldest; two sisters, Louisa and Bettie, next
younger; and a brother, Harry, the youngest of the four.
Remaining on his father's farm until he was about sixteen, C. R.
Barteau entered school at the Wesleyan University, in Delaware, Ohio,
where he remained about four years. From there he came South with
some fellow-students from Kentucky. He arrived at Hartsville, Ten-
nessee, in 1855.
His special object in coming South was to see for
himself something of Southern society and the institution of slavery,
which had formed the subject of some discussion among the students;
for it was a time of agitation in Cong-ress and in tlê North.
He took charge of the "Male Academy" at Hartsville in
1856,
and was Principal of said institution for about two years-.
Ill 1858
he began to edit and publish a paper at Hartsville, known
as the Hartsville Plaindealer. It was ultra Democratic and States
Rights. He had formed his conclusions, and did not hesitate to express
them. He believed the South was right; that the anti-slavery crusade
was founded on jealousy, falsehood, and fanaticism. His paper was
the exponent of these views, and he was willing to stake his life and
all he had on the side of the South in the coming struggle.
On the 29th of January, 1859,
the editor of the Plaindealer m^xxxQd
Miss Mary Cosby,* of Smith County, and, soon after, established for
himself a pleasant home at Hartsville, where he was still residing and
editing his paper at the breaking out of our late civil war. In the
meantime, while teaching and editing at Hartsville he had also been
reading law under John
W. Head.
She had two brothers in the Confederate army, Thomas O. Cosby, of Rid-
dleton, Smith County, Tenn., and Dr. John B. Cosby, now of New V'ork. Her
father, John O. Cosby, was killed at his own home by a passing squad of Fed-
erals.
Appendix A. 579
C. R. Barteau enlisted as a private in Company D, Seventh Bat-
talion of Tennessee Cavalry, on the 17th of October, 1861. A few
weeks afterward he was transferred from Captain Kit Bennett's Com-
pany (B) to Captain Joe
Odom's Company (F) of the same battalion.
So popular had he become with his comrades of the Seventh Battalion
that, when it and, the First Battalion were consolidated, near Fulton,
Mississippi, June
12th, 1862, he was raised from a private to the rank
of Lieutenant-Colonel, and then and there placed in command of the
Second Tennessee Cavalry.
I shall here state that our colonel's first wife died in the early part
of the war. He saw her for the last time on the 17th of February,
1862. Fort Donelson had then fallen, and the Confederate troops
were leaving Tennessee. He rode by his home and spent one hour,
then bade his dear wife, with her infant child in her arms, a painful
and final farewell. None but a Confederate soldier knows the agony
of such a moment. She was a brave woman, and, with suppressed
emotion, begged her dear husband not to think of her, but only do
his duty. She lived long enough to learn that he had risen from a
private to the command of the regiment, but not to realize the cher-
ished desire of seeing him afterward.
After serving as lieutenant-colonel for about one year C. R.
Barteau was promoted to the rank of colonel, and still commanded
the Second Tennessee until too severely wounded to do field duty any
more. Our colonel frequently acted as brigadier-general by being
placed in command of the various brigades to which his regiment was
attached from time to time during the war.
As Colonel Barteau has been more frequently mentioned in the
preceding pages of this work than any other officer of our regiment,
it is not necessary to repeat here the daring and gallant manner in
which he so frequently led his regiment or brigade to victory.
He was knocked from his horse, though not seriously wounded,
while leading our brigade at the battle of Okolona, February 2 2d,
1864. He was disabled for several weeks by a wound received at
Harrisburg, 14th of
July.
On the Hood campaign he was slightly
"wounded at Spring Hill and Franklin, and so severely wounded at
Murfreesboro, on the 6th of December, 1864,
that he was not able to
do any more service during the rest of the war.
The choice of Colonel Barteau's second marriage. May 12th,
1864,
was Miss Zora Eckford, of Macon, Mississippi. She had given five
brothers to the Southern cause, and herself made sacrifices and en-
580 K. R. Hancock's Diaky.
countered hardsliips and dangers. She was in the smoke of the
Harrisburg fight, and ministered to the wounded and dying at Oko-
lona and other places in North Mississippi. It was the glory of the
women of the South that when their homes were invaded they showed
only stout hearts worthy of the bravest of sons, brothers, and husbands.
The services of this noble and gallant officer, so cheerfully ren-
dered the South during her four years' struggle, should be the more
appreciated by his comrades and the people of the South when they
realize that it involved a separation from his father's family, a sacrifice
of all his pecuniary interests in Ohio, and his share in the family es-
tate; and worse than all, the engaging in a conflict in which his
brother becomes a party on the opposite side; for Harry went into
the Federal army, and from Shiloh to Franklin they were many times
engaged in the same battles. At the close of the war the two brothers
resumed correspondence, and mutually commended each other for
following honest convictions, while both regretted that reconstruction
should be left to politicians instead of the old soldiers, who, having
fought their battles, now laid down their arms in good faith for peace.
After being wounded at Murfreesboro, as previously mentioned,
Colonel Barteau went to Aberdeen, Mississippi, where he was first
admitted to the bar as an attorney-at law in 1866. He moved from
Aberdeen to Bartlett, Shelby County, Tennessee, in
1870,
and in the
latter part of 1885 he moved to Memphis, where he is now
(1887)
practicing his profession.
His family consists of a wife and three daughtersMattie Lavinia
(now Mrs. Westbrook, of Brunswick, Shelby County, Tennessee),
Russie Bettie (now Mrs. Schutz, of Truckee, Nevada County, Cali-
fornia), and Hattie Eckford (now Mrs. Caldwell, of Memphis, Ten-
nessee). If a man's home life is a.true test of character, the tender
devotion and quietness of Colonel Barteau's may challenge compari-
son with any. His attachment, too, for old ex-Confederates who were
honest and soldierly, and especially those of his regiment, is like that
for his family; and next to them the people of Tennessee, with whom
he cast his lot in early manhood. Among the warm-hearted people
of the middle section of his adopted State, especially of Sumner and
Smith Counties, he found many devoted friends in early life.
He has not been in public life, but in principle is a Democrat ; not
of the narrow partisan sort, for he abhors hypocrisy and mere expe-
diency. He accepts in good faith the issues settled by the war, and
looks only to the building up of the country. Rather retiring in dis-
Appendix A. 581
position, yet fearless in the discharge of duty, and deeply sympathetic,
he takes the side of right against wrong, of the weak against the pow-
erful, and to know him well is to know him best only in emergencies
that bring out these qualities.
At the reunion of the "Old Second" at Gallatin, on the 17th of
September, 1886, the writer had the pleasure of meeting our dear
colonel for the first time in twenty-two years. I found that his voice
was very much the same, and his features had changed but little since
I last saw him on the bank of the Tennessee River, near Paris Land-
ing, October 30th, 1864. While Colonel Barteau was delivering an
eloquent address to the vast concourse of people who had assembled
near Gallatin to witness the soldiers' reunion, our old regimental bugle
was handed to him by W. C. West (Company G), who had borrowed
it from Jimmie Bradford's mother for that occasion. In reference to
the "bugle episode," I take the following from the Memphis Avalanche
:
"A Forrest Bugle. The gallant Colonel Barteau, of this city,
commander of one of the best figliting regiments of Forrest's com-
mand, attended the Gallatin Confederate Soldiers' Reunion last Fri-
day. In replying to the welcoming address Colonel Barteau drew
tears from the eyes of the boys as he held up to view the bugle which
had so often called them to victory. He showed them the marks of
a bullet, and reminded them of how the bugle was struck as they went
into action, and its fine tone destroyed. He was reminded of how he
called to the bugler as it wheezed and piped with its cracked voice as
the air escaped through its honorable wound, 'Throw the dn thing
away and whistle the call.' He then told how next day the bugler,
who had found a tinner and mended the bugle, blew a blast loud and
clear, which startled the enemy and made them scamper, supposing
the two hundred men were a brigade. The brief bugle episode moved
the boys to tears and laughter."
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL GEORGE H. MORTON.
The subject of this sketch, who is the son of Thomas and Mar-
garet Morton and the youngest of eleven children, was born the loth
of October, 1836,
in Haddington, Scotland. His father was of Scotch
descent and his mother of Frenchthough both were born in Scotland.
G. H. Morton set sail from Liverpool, England, August ist, and
landed at New York City September i,
1852; and after working at
the carpenter's trade for two years, he came to Nashville, Tennessee,
where he remained in the mercantile business until 1861.
He enlisted in Captain Frank N. McNairy's company at Nashville,
and was elected Orderly Sergeant of said company, which was mus-
tered into ihe service of the State of Tennessee on the nth of May,
1 86 1. About the first week in
July,
his company became Company
A of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, and his captain,
McNairy, was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and W. Hooper Harris
was elected captain of Company A. About two months later G. H.
Morton was made third lieutenant, in which capacity he served until
the re-enlistment and reorganization of the First Battalion at Jacinto,
Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862. At that time and place
Companies A and B were consolidated and Morton was elected captain
of this consolidated company, which, soon after, became Company A
of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.
Near Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of June, 1862, he was elected
major of the Second Tennessee, which was composed of the First and
Second Battalions.
It was now that Major Morton began to display his military talent,
both as a leader in action and a disciplinarian in camp. In fact, so
rigid was he in discipline that our boys complained somewhat at first,
but soon realizing that he was right they only admired him the more.
As to the gallant manner in which he led the Second Tennessee at
Medon and Britton's Lane near Denmark, West Tennessee, and Palo
Alto, Birmingham and Tupelo, Mississippi, I refer the reader to the
accounts of those actions previously given.
In June, 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, which po-
sition he held until the close of the war with satisfaction to his supe-
riors and honor to himself and the Second Tennessee.
When Lieutenant-Colonel Morton led the Second Tennessee against
Sherman's army, near Cherokee, Alabama, on the 21st of October,
1863,
with as much pluck and vim as if he had met only his equal in
number, several balls passed through his coat; and a few days later
(26th), at the action with the Tories, on the luka-Fulton road, he was
knocked from his horse, though not seriously wounded. He was
complimented by his superiors for the gallant manner in which he led
his men during these two engagements.
On the 25th of March,
1864, he was severely wounded at Paducah,
Kentucky, from the effect of which he was disabled for several months.
He was able to be with us again, however, on the Middle Tennessee
expedition, under General Forrest, in the latter part of September
and the first of October, 1864. The most impressive scene of this
Appendix A. 583
expedition, so far as the Second Tennessee was concerned, occurred
at Cypress Creek, about two miles West of Florence, Alabama, on
the retreat. A detachment of the Second Tennessee was here sur-
rounded by the enemy, and, but for the generalship displayed by
Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, as well as his prompt and daring action
in leading iiis men out, perhaps the larger portion of them would have
been captured.*
He was in command of" the Second Tennessee during the famous
Hood retreat from Nashville to the Tennessee River, in December,
1S64. He had two horses shot from under him during that retreat
one at Hollow Tree Gap, about four miles north of Franklin, and
the other at Richland Creek, a few miles north of Pulaski.
After the Hood campaign, the Second Tennessee took part in only
two more actions, near Scottsville, Alabama, on the ist and 2d of
April, 1865. In both of these our lieutenant-colonel did his full duty,
and surrendered with the regiment at Gainesville, Alabama, on the
loth of May, 1865. having served four years to a day. Setting out
for home immediately, he arrived at Nashville on the 15th of
June,
where, on the ist of May following, he married Miss Isidora Donel-
son, who was born at Cross Plains, Robertson County, Tennessee, in
1845.
Since that time he has been engaged in the mercantile business
first, near Nashville, then at Belleview, and next at White Bluffs,
which is his present place of business, on the North-western Railroad,
in Dickson County, some twenty-two miles west of Nashville.
He has six sonsGeorge H.,
Jr.,
T. D., T. H., W. L.,
J.
T., and
N. H., and one daughter, Isidora. At the reunion of the Second
Tennessee, in
1885,
the writer heard Colonel Morton say : "Boys,
I expect to be with you at every reunion you have as long as I am
able to get there." This shoXvs very clearly that the men whom he
had the honor to command are still kindly remembered by him.
And I wish to add, in conclusion, that the survivers of the "Old
Second" are equally as devoted to him. Colonel Morton is a Mason
and an Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Knights of Honor.
LIEUTENANT ELI O. ELLIOTT,
(lUARTERMASTER OF THE SECOND TENNESSEE.
E. O. Elliott, son of George and Mary Elliott, was born Feb-
ruary 1 2th, 1
83 1,
in Sumner County, Tennessee. He was educated
The balance of the Second Tennesseee and a part of the Seventh were as
gallantly led out by Colonel Barteau.
at and near Gallatin. Farming in Sumner County was his occupation
previous to our late war.
About the ist of September, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate
service as private in Captain H. B. Sonde's Company, which, on the
19th of October, at Eperson Springs, in Macon County, Tennessee,
became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry.
By appointment, E. O. Elliott was then and there made adjutant of
said battalion, with the rank and pay of lieutenant. He served as
adjutant of the Seventh Battalion until it and the First were consoli-
dated, near Fulton, Mississippi, June
12th, 1862. He then became
quartermaster of the Second Tennessee.
He served as our quartermaster for nearly three years with honor
to himself and entire satisfaction to all of our regiment, as well as his
superior officers. Be it said to the honor of this noble ofificer that
the Second Tennessee always had plenty of forage, if it could possi-
bly be found. If forage was scarce our quartermaster always got
there in time to get a full share in the divide. Allen Wylie and John
Ward were his able assistants.
E. O. Elliott served as quartermaster of the Second Tennessee until
it and Wilson's Regiment were consolidated, about February, 1865.
He was then sent into West Tennessee with a detachment under Cap-
tain William Duncan, in search of absentees from Forrest's com-
mand. He was engaged in this service until the war closed. He was
paroled at Columbus, Mississippi, about the 14th of May, 1865.
After remaining in Mississippi for a short time. Lieutenant Elliott went
to Arkansas; but remaining there but a short time, he returned to
Gallatin, Tennessee, where he now
(1887)
lives, and is engaged in
training race-horses.
REV. STEPHEN CHASTAIN TALLEY,
Chaplain of the Second Tennessee.
S. C. Talley was born in Smith County. Tennessee, on the 27th
of December, 1831. His father, Benjamin Talley, was born in Buck-
ingham County, Virginia, May 12th,
1798.
His grandfather, Charles
Talley, was a scout under the Governor of Virginia during the Rev-
olutionary War, and distinguished himself for faithfulness and relia-
bility. His mother's maiden name was Judith Chastain, daughter of
Stephen Chastain,* after whom the subject of this sketch was named.
"The Chastains were Huguenots, or Protestants, who came from France to
enjoy religious liberty. The Talleys were from England.
Appendix A.
585
S. C. Talley was raised on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee,
and attended the "old field schools" of the country some two or three
months each year until fifteen years of age, after which he continued
his studies at home by reading at night and odd times. He learned
to read when only five years old; and when fifteen he bought, at one
time, forty dollars' worth of books. He made a public profession of
religion in
July, 1849, ^"d shortly afterward united with the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, South. He spent the winter of 1851 and 1852
in traveling in Virginia and Kentucky, and studying Church History
especially the history of the Methodist and Baptist Churches. Hav-
ing become satisfied that the latter were similar m doctrine and gov-
ernment to those founded by the apostles, he united with the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church in Smith County, Tennessee, known as the
"Harmony Church," and was baptized by Elder Henry Roark, in
September, 1852.
S. C. Talley married Miss Sarah E. Grigg, daughter of Branch
J-
Grigg, on the 19th of July, 1852. Soon after uniting with the Har-
mony Church he was made clerk of that body, which position he held
until the Friendship Church was organized; he then served as clerk
of the latter Church until his ordination to the ministry. He began
to preach soon after uniting with the Baptist Church, but was not or-
dained to the full work of the ministry until in i860.
He enlisted in Captain C. L. Bennett's Company, Seventh Battalion
Tennessee Cavalry, and was soon after transferred to Captain
J.
T. E.
Odom's Company, of same battalion, in which he served as private
until the 12th of June, 1862; he was then appointed chaplain of the
Second Tennessee by Colonel C. R. Barteau. He made a gallant
soldier, both before and after being made chaplain. He was as ready
to fight the enemy of his country as the enemy of souls. He served
as chaplain of our regiment for over two years.
I take the following from letters recently received from our dear
chaplain :
"Shortly after those three days of hard fighting around Harrisburg,
Mississippi, in which so many of our noble comrades were killed or
wounded, I had the good fortune to be selected by the Rev. Colonel
D. C. Kelley, and recommended by him to General Forrest, to be
sent to Middle Tennessee as the bearer of sad tidings, messages of
dying sons to loved mothers, and husbands to wives.
'
' I went alone with about one hundred letters from our boys to
loved ones at home and three or four Southern papers; and although
586 E. E. Hancock's Diaey.
it was dangerous I pressed forward eagerly, and, after a number of
adventures and narrow escapes, I succeeded in reaching home in five
days, where I was seen by many of my old friends and delivered the
messages with which I had been intrusted, but finally I was captured
at S. Carr's, on the Gallatin and Scottsville Turnpikethe house
being surrounded about midnight. I was carried to Nashville and kept
there in the Military Prison, charged with being a spy, until the 20th
of January, 1865. I was then sent to Fort Delaware.
"Having been exchanged, I arrived at Richmond, Virginia, on the
14th of February,
1865,
where I remained until the 3d of March, at
the Stewart Hospital. Soon after my arrival at Richmond I found Dr.
Menees, our representative in the Confederate Congress from Robert-
son County, Tennessee, who kindly introduced me at the War De-
partment, where I found, to my great surprise, that the Second Ten-
nessee Cavalry had not been officially recognized at the War Depart-
ment. I asked for our pay-rolls, which were found on file ; from these
it was learned that nearly two thousand dollars were due me by the
Confederate States Government. They then, in order to legally pay
me something, officially recognized our regiment and numbered it the
Twenty-second Tennessee Cavalry, and paid me six hundred and sixty
dollars.
"On the 3d of March I obtained a leave of absence from the Sec-
retary of War,
J. J.
Breckinridge, for thirty days, and visited my rel-
atives in Buckingham County. My great-grandfather. Rone Chastain,
was pastor of the Buckingham Baptist Church for fifty consecutive
years. It was my privilege, during this visit, to preach from the same
pulpit that he had so faithfully filled long before the Revolutionary
War. I returned to Richmond on the 3d of April, in time to take
the last train that left that city, with Admiral Semmes and his marines.
I arrived at Gainesville, Alabama, with the blank paroles, on the 9th
of May,
1865, and at home on the 21st of May."
The occupation of Elder S. C. Talley during the ten years that he
remained in Tennessee after the war closed was farming, teaching
and preaching. Having sold his farm in Sumner County, he removed
to Ellis County, Texas, in October,
1875,
and bought
1487
acres of
unimproved land near Waxahachie. For the next seven years his
time was mainly occupied in opening this new farm, but he is now de-
voting his entire time to the ministry.
Brother Talley's oldest child died in infancy. He has two sons
(B. B. and S. C,
Jr.
) living; and twin daughters (Lucia and Judith A.),
Appendix A. 587
one of whom died in
1874. Be it said to the honor of Brother Talley,
that he has never used intoxicating drink, as a beverage, since he was
fifteen years old. He closes a letter to the writer, dated
"
Waxa-
hachie, Texas, March 5th, 1887," as follows:
"I am in my fifty sixth year, in fine health, and thankful that my
life is still spared, and would be delighted to be able to preach again
to the remnant of the old Second Tennessee Cavalry and urge them
to trust in God and try to do their duty to Him as faithfully as they
served their country, and they will be fully rewarded with a crown of
victory that will never fade aAvay."
DR.
J.
W. HARRISON,
SURGEON OF THE SECOND TENNESSEE.
J.
W. Harrison, son of James H. and Emily E. Harrison, was
born
July
26th,
1830, at Castalian Springs, Sumner County, Tennes-
see.
After completing his literary course at Wirt College, in Sumner
County, he entered the medical department of the University at Nash-
ville in October,
1852,
where he attended four courses of lectures,
and, after practicing for two years, he returned to Nashville and grad-
uated in
1858,
after which, he continued the practice of medicine in
the vicinity of Cairo, in Sumner County, until our late war broke out.
He married Miss Mary E. Cox on the 24th of June, 1858. They
have two daughters, Martha T. and Mary W.
Dr.
J.
W. Harrison enlisted in the Confederate service about the
I St of October, 1861, as private in Captain Ed. P. Tyree's Company,
which, about eighteen days later, became Company C of the Seventh
Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. He served as assistant surgeon of
said battalion until it and the First Battalion were consolidated, near
Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862. He was then made assistant
surgeon of the Second Tennessee. After serving as assistant for one
year, he got to be surgeon of our regiment.
Dr. Harrison was kind, generous and brave, as well as a good
physician. He was ever true and faithful to our sick and wounded.
He would even run the risk of losing his own life in bringing our
wounded from the battlefield, as the following incidents will fully show
:
During the action at Cherokee, Alabama, on the 21st of October,
1863, he went so near the enemy with his ambulance that his horse
was shot and balls passed through his coat and vest while bringing
Captain Thomas Puryear (Co. G) and Private
J.
R. Dickerson (Co.
D) from the battlefield. Both proved to be mortally wounded.
Near Harrisburg, Mississippi, on the 13th of
July, 1864, when our
regiment had been, in a measure, cut to pieces and were faUing back
before overwhehning odds, our gallant surgeon having learned that
Lieutenant French, who was among the severely wounded, had not
been brought from the field, set out at once with an ambulance, and,
on commg in range of the grape and canister from the enemy's guns,
the driver halted and proposed to turn back. Springing forward and
seizing one of the mules by the reins, both to quiet the team and to
prevent the driver turning, the doctor said: "No, we will not turn
back. We will bring Lieutenant French from the field or die in the at-
tempt." He, at the same time, called upon our men to halt and rally.
Pressing on, he soon met some of the infirmary corps with the lieu-
tenant, who was placed in the ambulance, and, with others, carried
back to Doctor Calhoun's. For the above feat. Dr. Harrison was
highly complimented the next day " for gallantry upon the field" by
General Buford.
On the 15th of July, 1864, our surgeon was disabled by sunstroke
and sent to the Cowan Hospital at Okolona, Mississippi. Growing
worse and worse, his physicians finally despaired of his recovery.
He recovered, however, and was placed in charge of the officers' ward
in said hospital, where he remained until the close of the war.
Dr. Harrison returned home on the 5th of June, 1865. He had
not been at home before since about the loth of February, 1862. He
has been practicing his profession ever since the war in the vicinity of
Cairo, Sumner County, Tennessee. He is now
(1887)
jail physician
and health officer of Sumner County, and has been magistrate of the
Second District for twelve years.
LIEUTENANT THOMAS C. ATKINSON.
T. C. Atkinson, son of Howell S. and Charlotte Atkinson, was
born March 31st,
1837,
in Nashville, Tennessee, at which place he
was raised and educated. He was in the regular army of the United
StatesSecond Dragoonsout on the frontier at the breaking out of
our late civil war. When Governor I. G. Harris called on Tennessee
for volunteers to repel Northern invasion, Atkinson returned to his
native city and enlisted in Captain Frank N. McNairy's Company,
which, soon after, became Company A of First Tennessee Battalion
of Cavalry. He served as private in said company until the consoli-
dation of the First and Seventh Battalions, near Fulton, Mississippi,
June 1 2th, 1S62; and then and there he was elected First Lieutenant
Appendix A. 589
of Company A, Second Tennessee. As the CaptainN. Oswellof
Company A was captured in tiie latter part of 1862, and soon after
bemg exchanged, he was disabled and discharged, Lieutenant Atkin-
son was in command of his company the most of the time from the
time he was made lieutenant to the close of the war. To mention
the places where this officer displayed gallantry would be to mention
every action in which he took part, for he was always found in the
front rank.
When the Second Tennessee was thrown out to meet the advance
of A.
J.
Smith's army, between New Albany and Pontotoc, on the
loth of
July, 1864,
the lieutenant's action called forth the following
compliment from Colonel Barteau
:
"The conduct of Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson with Company A
was particularly noticeable here coming in hand-to-hand contact
with the advance of the enemy's charge and emptying three saddles
with his own pistol. His conduct seemed to be much admired and
applauded even by the Yankee troops, and served as an incentive to
my own men."
Notwithstanding he was an indomitable hard fighter he was not
wounded during the war, though he had a favorite horse shot from
under him, but I cannot now mention where.
He married Miss Texanna Nicholson, in Okolona, Mississippi,
February
isth, 1865. The war having closed he returned home about
the last of May following, and a few weeks later he went back to
Mississippi, and bringing his wife to Tennessee he settled in Nashville.
He was foreman of the Edgefield and Nashville Manufacturing
Company about sixteen years, and then for some time he held the
same position in the Southern Pump Company.
Lieutenant Atkinson died in Nashville on the the 26th of March,
1887. He was very kind and patient during his illness. He left no
children. Plis wife is still living.
LIEUTENANT ANDERSON H. FRENCH.
A. H. French was born in Jackson County, Ohio, on the 28th of
November, 1841, where he was raised and educated. His father,
John French, was born and raised in Hagerstown, Maryland. His
mother, Johannah Elizabeth (her maiden name was Branscombe), was
born and raised in Greenbrier County, Virginianow West Virginia.
At the breaking out of our late civil war he was with his uncle, H.
S. French, in the wholesale grocery business at Nashville, Tennessee.
As soon as Tennessee seceded he made a flying visit to his parents,
then residing at his birthplace in Ohio. Remaining at home but two
days, he returned to Nashville and joined Captain Foster's company
of infantry. After drilling with this company for about ten days, he
began to suffer from the effect of an injury to one of his feet received
during his boyhood days; therefore he withdrew from this infantry
company, by consent of Captain P'oster, and attached himself to Cap-
tain F. N. McNairy's cavalry company (which was the first raised in
Tennessee) on the 23d of May, 1861. McNairy's company soon
after became Company A of the First Battalion, in which company
French served as private for the first twelve months.
At Jacinto, Mississippi, on the i4tli of May, 1862, he re-enlisted
for
"
three years or during the war," and was made second lieutenant
of his company, which, on the 12th of June following, became Com-
pany A of the Second Tennessee, which position he held until disa-
bled.
About the 15th of December, 1862, Lieutenant French was cap-
tured at Tupelo, Mississippi, and carried to Corinth where he was
imprisoned about six weeks.* Having been paroled, he returned to
the Second Tennesseethen encamped near Okolonaabout the last
of January, 1863;
but as he could not enter the service until ex-
changed, he went to Hartsville, Tennessee, to visit some of his rela-
tives who were then living at that place, which was inside the Federal
lines. This was in the spring of 1863. Remaining at Hartsville only
a few days, he went to General Morgan's headquarters at Murfrees-
boro where he found his exchange papers. After remaining with
jNIorgan's command for a few weeksdoing some gallant fighting and
leading some daring charges near Taylorsville, in Wilson County
Lieutenant French rejoined the Second Tennessee in North Mississippi

about the last of May, 1863. On the 20th of June followmg, the
action at Mud Creek, Mississippi, was fought. He, being in com-
mand of the advance guard, brought on the engagement. Special
praise is due him for the gallant and daring manner in which he stood
his ground and fought desperately, at short range, until the rest of
our regiment came to his support. He was here severely wounded.
A ball passed through his right arm between the elbow and wrist,
shivering one bone. Our assistant surgeon, Dr.
J.
W. Harrison,
went with Lieutenant French to one Mr. Sam Ward's, who owned a
The writer was captured at Guntown and taken to Corinth by the same
Federal scout.
Appendix A. 591
large prairie farm seven miles south of Okolona, on the Aberdeen
road. Dr. Harrison remained with the lieutenant about one month
;
while the latter staid at Mr. Ward's-''- about three months; and, during
the latter part of his stay, he met, at a wedding in the neighborhood,
a bright, vivacious little school girlMiss Nellie Holland, of Aber-
deenwho was spending vacation with some good friends in the
country about one mile from Mr. Ward's. Having sufficiently recov-
ered from his wound to enter the service again, he set out from Mr.
Ward's in October to rejoin his command, then in North Alabama,
under General S. D. Lee. He went by the way of Aberdeen; and
it was then and there that "little Nell
"
promised to be his wife "when
the war was over."
Soon after rejoining the Second Tennessee in Alabama, he started
with Captain T. B. Underwood (Company B), who was instructed to
take fifty men and destroy as many bridges and trestles as possible
along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad between Pulaski and Co-
lumbia. As I have given an account of this expedition, under 21st
of November, 1863, I shall only mention here that Underwood's de-
tachment left the regiment in Alabama November 8th, and rejoined
it again near Okolona, Mississippi, the 21st of the same month.
When Forrest fought Smith on the Okolona-Pontotoc road, Feb-
ruary 2 2d, 1864, Lieutenant French was captured late that evening,
about fifteen miles from Okolona, but made his escape about forty-
eight hours afterward by bribing his guardstwo Federals. They
were captured by eight or ten Confederates, who took all three of them
to the woods to execute them, when French, by being a Mason, con-
vinced his captors that he was a Confederate, and that he was the
cause of the Federals leaving their command. The three were then
released, and French paroled the Federals and gave them his watch
and a check on his uncle, H. S. French, Nashville, Tennessee, for
one hundred dollars, which was presented and paid.
At Fort Pillow, April 12th, he commanded the skirmish line on the
extreme right, next to the river, above the fort. Of the men whom
he so gallantly led on that memorable occasion the Lieutenant says:
"Never did men behave more bravely and nobly than did those
under me; over half of them were killed or wounded before the fort
was stormed. AVe," continues French, "advanced to within about
one hundred yards of the fort; here we got a galling fire from the fort
and the gunboat in the river.
*
Of Mr. Ward, French says: "To me he was indeed a father, and his home
was my home for the remainder of the war."
"From ten a. m. until General Forrest came there was but little
change in our position. We had taken shelter behind trees and logs,
and would occasionally get a shot at some venturesome Federal who
would expose his head above the fort.
"At about half-past one p. m. General Forrest came (on foot) and
asked who was in command of the skirmish line, to which I replied
by saluting him. He then ordered me to advance my line. I replied,
'General, that is death.' He again ordered me to move my line for-
ward. I then turned to my command and gave the order to forward,
and at the same time started forward. Not a man moved from the
shelter, and well it was that they did not, for they could not have
lived one moment. I made a dash for a log that was some ten steps
from where I started, and as soon as I reached it I dropped behind it
and awaited further orders.
"
In a few moments orders came to cease firing, and soon after this
order, those in rear of me informed me that a flag of truce had gone
into the fort, I then got up, sat on the log, and talked with the
gunners in the fort. One of them asked me if I did not get hit before
I reached the log, and when I informed him that I was not hurt, he
said that he would get me as soon as that flag left the fort. I there-
fore kept one eye on it, and as soon as it started out I again took my
position behind the log."
When the final charge came, French admits that his skirmish line
was soon in rear of the main line. He then moved forward and took
part in the final assault.
When the Second Tennessee struck that heavy ambuscade, late in
the afternoon of the 13th of
July, 1864, "ear the cross-roads, two and
a half miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi, where so many gallant
men fell, either killed or wounded, Lieutenant French, Avhile most
daringly leading Company A to the onset, received a wound that
closed his career as a soldier. A Minie-ball pierced his right side and
passed through the bowel (the colon) and the top of his hip bone,
producing, as our surgeons thought, a mortal wound. He fell when
struck, but as our regiment was forced to beat a hasty retreat about
that time, he sprang to his feet and ran until he became exhausted,
when, luckily, some of the infirmary corps met him and carried him
on a blanket until met by Dr.
J.
W. Harrison with an ambulance, in
which he was carried back to Dr. Calhoun's, two miles west of Verona,
and laid on a blanket in his front yard. "The only position," says
French, "in which I could get to be at all bearable was on my stomach.
Appendix A. 593
I succeeded in findi
.g
a small eminence on the ground about as large
as twice the size of my hand, over which I placed the entrance of the
l)ullet.
"This had the effect of a compress, and by this means the wounded
bowel united by what is termed first intention. The edge of the
bowel adhered to the peritoneum, the peritoneum to the wall of the
abdomen, thus preventing the feces from getting in among the folds
of the bowels."'
Dr. Calhoun's family were acquainted with Lieutenant French.
The Doctor's daughter, Miss Sallie, and Miss Nellie Holland were
class and deskmates. Between twelve and one o'clock that night Mrs.
Calhoun and Miss Sallie went out into the yard among the wounded
and dying and called aloud for Lieutenant French. When he was
pointed out to them by Charlie Searls (Company A) they, kneeling
down, gently placed a pillow under his head, and then, with loving
hands, they brushed back the hair from his pale brow, and each
imprinted an affectionate kissthe mother for his mother, and the
daughter for his "little Nell," who had promised to be his wife. "To
those loving acts of woman's noble nature," says French, "I was ob-
livious; yet until life's last pulse shall beat will I bless them for their
loving kindness."
I know of no language by which to speak forth the praise so justly
due the women of the South for what they did for the sick and wounded
Confederate soldiers who were stricken down far away from loved
ones at home.
A little after sunrise the next morning the lieutenant was taken
into the house and placed upon a mattress. He did not discover until
that morning that his bowel was torn, and now realizing the fact that
his recovery was extremely doubtful, he requested one of his comrades
(John
Ward) to go to Mr. Holland's (ten miles south of Aberdeen
and about forty-three from Dr. Calhoun's) after Miss Nellie. Ward
set out at once, hoping to be able to bring her to see French before
he died.
Mr. Sam Word heard, about noon that day (14th), that the man
whom he had learned to admire and esteem very highly was mortally
wounded. His daughter (Mrs. Captain Harper), starting at once,
reached Dr. Calhoun's (twenty-two miles) before sunset. On being
shown into the room where that gallant and noble officer was lying,
she kneeled by his couch and fervently implored a merciful Father to
spare his life. She sat by him all night, praying and trying to teach
38
594 R. R. Haxcock's Diary.
him of a home in the "beautiful beyond." What more could a sister,
or, indeed, a mother, have done?
On the morning of the 15th Dr. Cowan, General Forrest's chief
surgeon, said: "It becomes my painful duty, my dear lieutenant, to
inform you that you cannot live but a day or two; if you have any
earthly matters to attend to you have no time to lose."
Having received (by some mistake) the information that French
was dead, Mr. Sam Word, acting from the impulse of his noble nature,
ordered a servant to go to Aberdeen after a coffin, and then drive in
haste directly to Dr. Calhoun's. Fearing that the remains of his de-
voted friend would be buried before he could reach the scene, Mr.
Word mounted his horse at three a. m. on the 15th, and after a ride
of a little over three hours he was at Dr. Calhoun's. On learning
that the corpse was not quite ready, the situation was somewhat em-
barrassing, though but for a moment, for he went right into the room
where French was and talked plainly to him as follows
:
"I heard last evening that you were dead; and, having decided to
take your remains and bury them in my own family burying ground,
I sent at once to Aberdeen after a coffin. I started early this morn-
ing in order to reach here before you were wrapped in a blanket and
thrown into a hole. The coffin and your best suit of clothes will be
here in an hour or two."
When Mr. Word's servant arrived with the coffin it was placed un-
der a bed in a room adjoining the one occupied by Frenchall think-
ing that it would be needed in less than forty-eight hours.
In less than an hour after John Ward had arrived at Mr. Holland's,
on the afternoon of the 14th, Miss Nellie was ready, and they set out
at once for Dr. Calhoun's. On reaching x\berdeen they were informed
that the lieutenant was deadthat Mr. Word's wagon was there after
a coffinand that the burial would take place at Mr. Word's the next
day. They then decided to remain at Aberdeen until next morning.
I shall not attempt to describe the feelings of Miss Nellie at the recep-
tion of such heartrending news as this. She wept incessantly, while
the tears flowed freely from "woman's fountain of love."
At about eight o'clock the next morning (15th), John
Ward, Miss
Nellie and two of her good friends (Mrs. Stokes and daughter) started
to Mr. Word's, thirteen miles north of Aberdeen. On reaching Mr.
Word's and there learning that the one who was dearer to her than
life itself was not dead, the reaction was so great that she was almost
frantic with joy as she pressed on to Dr. Calhoun's, and there kneeling
Appkndix a. 595
beside her lover, she wept for grief and joyfor grief, because she
found him so severely wounded, and for joy, on account of finding
him stillalive.
Lieutenant French told his "little Nell" that he wanted her to
stay with him as long as he lived, and that it would, therefore, be just
as well for them to get married at once instead of waiting until the
war was over. To this she readily consented. Some delay occurred,
however, from the fact that it was necessary to send back into the
county in which she resided for the marriage license.
It was Sunday, July 24th, that this sweet little sixteen-year-old
girlwhile kneeling by his couch, so as to take him by the handbe-
came the "child wife" of Lieutenant French. And thus it was that
"little Nell" became the Heroine of Harrisburg. "Truth is
stranger than fiction."
I think that it was Dr. Calhoun who asked French, about the
second day after he had been wounded, how he felt. "I suppose,"
replied he, "that I will have to die." "There are fifty chances in
your case," continued the Doctor, "and forty-nine of them are against
you." "If there is even one chance for me," quickly replied the
lieutenant, "I will get it." "If that is the way you feel, the chances
are reversed, and I believe that you will get well."
"
Never from that
moment," says French, "had I any thought of not recovering."
I received a letter from Lieutenant French in 1S87, from which I
take the following
:
"When I received the first wound I weighed one hundred and
eighty-seven pounds, and became reduced to one hundred and fifteen;
when wounded last I weighed one hundred and fifty-six, and in forty-
five days afterward I was a mere skeleton, weighing only sixty-four
pounds.
'I had no action from the lower bowel for forty-three days, and all
that I was allowed to eat during that time was two tablespoonsful of
beef tea three times per day.
"I was in bed with the last wound forty-three days, without being
allowed to turn over, being compelled to lie on my right side. I was
confined to my bed continuously for four months, after which I was
up and down. I was on crutches about one year, and the wound con-
tinued to discharge for nearly two years."
In speaking of his family he says
:
"To us was born only two childrena daughter and a sonthe
daughter (the oldest) lived but two and a half years, and the son only
six months. From their mother they inherited consumption, and be-
side them reposes all of earth that remains of their mother
my
'child
wife'
my
'little Nell.'
"Their resting place, in the cemetery at Aberdeen, Mississippi, is
marked by a marble shaft surmounted with a cross, and a plain marble
slab on each grave upon which is inscribed
:
"LITTLE NELL."
ANNIE BARKER.
HUGH McAllister.
"There is just room enough beside our youngest for my final rest-
ing place."
He was a loving father, a devoted husband, and as gallant a soldier
as ever faced a foe. In complimenting Lieutenant French, Colonel
Barteau says: "I could always rely on him at the post of special
danger."
His first wife died in the spring of 1873. The choice of his second
marriage, in the fall of
1875,
^^^ ^''S- M. I. C. Adams, of Aberdeen,
Mississippi, which place has been his home ever since the war closed.
He is a veterinary surgeonDr. Frenchand is for the present
(June, 1887)
practicing his profession at Birmingham, Alabama,
though Aberdeen is still his home.
LIEUTENANT PLEAS. A. SMITH.
The subject of this sketch was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on
the loth of November, 1841, and was raised on the "Ewing Farm,"
six miles south of Nashville, where he now
(1887)
lives. At the
breaking out of the war P. A. Smith was living in Mississippi, engaged
in planting cotton. He sold out his interest there and came to Ten-
nessee, and on the 3d day of June, 1861, he joined Captain F. N.
McNairy's cavalry company, which soon after became Company A
of First Tennessee Battalion, and on reorganization. Company A,
Second Tennessee Cavalry. He served as private in Company A
until the reorganization at Jacinto, Mississippi, May 14th, 1862, when
he was elected brevet second lieutenant.
When the First and Seventh Battalions were consolidated he was
recommended by Colonel Barteau as commissary, and acted in that
capacity for several months, but being under twenty- one years of age
he did not receive his commission. Having rejoined Company A
some time previous, he was with it on the expedition into West Ten-
ne'^see, under General Armstrong, in August and September, 1862.
Appendix A. 597
He was in command of the sharp-shooters at Medon and Britton's
Lane. He was then assigned as purchasing ofificer of General Arm-
strong's cavalry, which position he held until after the battle of luka,
Mississippi.
By request of Colonel Barteau, Lieutenant Smith rejoined the regi-
ment and assumed the duties of adjutant of the Second Tennessee
in October, 1862. He served as our adjutant until the spring of
1864, with honor to himself and entire satisfaction to all of the Sec-
ond Tennessee.
At the action with the Tories, on the luka-Fulton road, in Otober,
1863, after Colonel Morton was knocked from his horse, Adjutant
Smith very gallantly led the Second Tennessee, and so complete was
the rout that the enemy did not make another stand. He was with
Company A at Paducah, Fort Pillow and Price's Cross-Roads. Jiist
after the last named engagement, or about the last of June, 1864,
he
Avas assigned to duty on General T. H. Bell's staff as acting assistant
inspector-general, where he remained until the final surrender of For-
rest's cavalry at Gainesville, Alabama, May 9th, 1865. I" ^"'^^ ffi"
cial report. General Bell complimented his acting assistant inspector-
general, P. A. Smith, for so gallantly performing his full duty during
the three days' fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi.
During the war, Lieutenant Smith was identified with the Second
Tennessee, and was never on service out of the brigade to which it
belonged. When the war closed he returned home, near Nashville,
Tennessee. He married Miss Martha T. HamiUon, daughter of
lames W. and Mary E. Hamilton, on the i8lh of October, 1866.
They have been blessed with one son, William E., and three daugh-
ters, Mary H., Nannie T. , and Nellie French.
In September, 1885, the Second Tennessee held its reunion near
Lieutenant Smith's residence, and it is his special request that we
hold our annual meeting with him again in 1888. Being naturally
kindhearted and generous, he enjoys meeting with his old com-
rades, perhaps, as much as any other member of our regiment.
CAPTAIN T. B. UNDERWOOD.
T. B. Underwood, son of John and Parmelia Underwood, was
born in Maury County, Tennessee, September 23d, 1836. He lived
on the farm where he was born until he was sixteen years old. He
then entered school at the Thompson Academy, in Williamson
County, Tennessee. The Honorable Atha Thomas was principal of
said institution at the time. From there he went to Cumberland Uni-
598
versity, at Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, where he remained
until the breaking out of the late war, except some time lost in teach-
ing to procure means to keep himself in school.
In the spring of 1861, T. B. Underwood offered his services to his
native State, for a period of twelve months, as private in Captain
William Ewing's company, which soon after became Company C of
the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. During General ZoUicoffer's
first campaign into Kentucky, Underwood's horse was shot in the
shoulder at Rockcastle Hill, or "Wild Cat."
On the 14th of May, 1862, at Jacinto, Mississippi, the subject of
this sketch re-enlisted for three years or during the war. At the same
time and place Companies C and D (Ewing's and Payne's, afterward
Duncan's) were consolidated, and T. B. Underwood was elected first
lieutenant of the consolidated company, which, on the 12th of June
following, became Company B of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.
After serving about one year as lieutenant, his captain, Wm. Parrish,
was made major, and Underwood was promoted to the captaincy of
Company B, which rank he held until the close of the war. It was
he who was in command of a detachment of fifty men who were sent
from our regiment into Middle Tennessee, in November, 1863, to de-
stroy bridges and trestles along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad,
between Pulaski and Columbia. I shall not repeat here the gallant
manner in which he performed that duty, but simply refer the reader
to the account previously given under November 21, 1863. It was
he, too, who so gallantly led the Second Tennessee during the last
day's fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi.
He made a noble soldier, a gallant lieutenant, and a daring captain,
and by kind acts and generous deeds he won the admiration and es-
teem of all his comrades.
He was detached from our regiment, at West Point, in March,
1865,
and was in West Tennessee recruiting when the war closed;
and, according to orders from General Forrest, he went to Columbus,
Mississippi, to be paroled. The captain returned home about the ist
of June, 1865.
In 1867,
Captain Underwood went to Texas; and in November,
1870,
he returned to Obion County, West Tennessee, where he now
(1887)
lives.
He married Miss E. D. Reeves on the 2d of November, 1876.
They have four childrenLaura, Iva, George W. , and John.
Since the war his principal occupation has been that of a teacher
of a literary school.
Appendix A. 599
CAPTAIN JAMES
HARVEY DUNCAN.
J.
H. Duncan, second son of Alexander C. and Hannah Duncan,
was born March loth, 1817,
in Pulaski County, Kentucky. His
grandfather, James
Duncan, who was born at Culpepper Court House,
in Culpepper County, Virginia, July
i8th,
1764,
was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and was at the siege and capture of Yorktown,
Virginia, when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington
on the i8th of October, 1781;
and in
1790
he settled in Kentucky,
Avhere he was killed the next year by the Indians, leaving a widow
and three small children. The oldest was the Captain's father, who
was born in Russell County, Virginia, June
30th, 1788;
the other
two, William and .Sallie (the latter became Mrs. McGee), were twins,
and born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, in
1790.
After the war of
181 2,
William setded in Hickman County, Tennessee, where, after
raising a large family, he died in 1869.
The Honorable Ralph Williams, the captain's grandfather on his
mother's side, also served in the Revolutionary War under General
Greene and the famous Marion.
The subject of this sketch, who was educated in the common coun-
try schools, learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and was
a very successful contractor for ten or twelve years in Lancaster, the
county seat of Garrard County, Kentucky.
In 1843
he married Mrs. Fannie Dawson, who died in
1847,
leav-
ing no children. He was married again in 1848 to Miss Louisa B.
Hudson, who was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, in 1830. He
left Kentucky in
1849,
^^^d setded in Davidson County, Tennessee,
where he was engaged in farming and trading in horses, mules, and
cattle when the war broke out.
J.
H. Duncan enlisted in the Confederate service as a private in
Captain E. D. Payne's company, which, about the first week in
July,
1 86
1,
became Company D of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cav-
alry. About September following he was, much against his own will,
unanimously elected captain of Company D, Captain Payne having re-
signed. Captain Duncan served at the head of his company with the
First Battalion during the two campaigns into Kentucky under Gen-
eral Zollicoffer, who was warmly attached to the captain. It has been
said that the latter was the only man who could make the former
laugh.
600

E. R. Hancock's Diary.
After the action and defeat at Fishing Creek, Kentucky, the cap-
tain fell back with the Confederate army through Middle Tennessee
to North Mississippi, where, in May, 1862, the First Battalion re-en-
listed and reorganized and Companies B and D were consolidated, and
Captain William Parrish commanded the consolidated company.
Captain Duncan now returned to Middle Tennessee, and soon
after joined Wheeler's Cavalry,* with which he did valiant service
until wounded in the foot at Chickamauga September 20th,
1863,
where he was captured and sent to prison on Johnson's Island. He
was exchanged in time to take part in General Hood's campaign
against Nashville on the staff of General Cranberry. He served on
faithfully to the close of the war; surrendered to General James Wil-
son near Selma, Alabama, and was soon after with loved ones at
home in the northern portion of Wilson County, Tennessee, to which
place his family had removed in 1863. His occupation after the war
was farming and trading in stock.
Captain Duncan was very livelyalways had an anecdote to suit
the occasion, and was a favorite with all soldiers. He was a warm
partisan in all elections, and was always a States' Rights Democrat.
He was a devoted husband and a kind and affectionate father. His
last wife bore him three daughtersCora (now Mrs. Birthright), Eu-
dora (now Mrs. Buchanan, of Nashville, Tennessee), and Lizzie (who
died in 1880), and two sons
James McAfee, of Saundersville, Sum-

ner County, Tennessee, and Mongolia (of Texas).
In reference to her father's death Eudora says, in a letter to her
uncle, S. M. Duncan:
"Pa's death was caused by taking an overdose of morphine
through mistake. He was in wretched health, and went himself to
Starkes' store in Saundersville, Sumner County, f and purchased a bot-
tle of morphine, thinking it was quinine He took it at
ten o'clock a. m. and lived until ten at night, October 15th,
1873.
Everything that could be done was administered for his recovery, but
all of no avail. Brother Jesse Sewell was carrying on a protracted
meeting at Saundersville at the time. Pa was so anxious to hear the
discourse through, as he was a strict member of the Christian Church,
and had been one year previous to his death, he took the quinine, as
*He raised and commanded an independent company of scouts, l)ut reported
to Wheeler.
tThe captain lived in Wilson County and had crossed the Cumberland River
to attend church as above named.
Appendix A. 601
he thought, as a stimulant We never knewuntil after
services that he had taken anything, as ma did not attend church that
day. Brother Sewell assisted him home. He never spoke but once
after returning. He said: 'Ma, I cannot be with you long; I am al-
most gone, ^ then fell asleep in Jesus, never to wake with us in this old,
unreligious world."
The remains of the gallant captain were interred at the McLean
graveyard, in the first district of Wilson County.
The captain's widow is still
(1887)
living.
CAPTAIN TIMOTHY McARTY ALLISON.
T. M. Allison was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, November
22d, 1808. His father, William Allison, was born in Montgomery
County, Maryland, January 20th,
1773,
and his mother, Elizabeth
Allison, was born on the i6th of
July, 1779,
in Prince George's County,
Maryland. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm in the
southern portion of Wilson County, about one mile from Greenvale,
and five north of Milton. He was educated m the ordinary country
schools.
T. M. Allison married Miss Sarah McGavock Ewing, daughter of
James and Nancy Ewing, on the 23d of January, 1840. After mar-
riage he lived one year at Statesville, and then for a few years where
Mr. Hiram Fite now lives, near Prosperity Church. His father hav-
ing died in the meantime, he moved to his mother's, near Greenvale,
where he lived for several years.
He was one of the committee who laid off the districts of Wilson
County as they now are. He was deputy sheriff of Wilson County
for one term, and also tax collector for two years.
Having previously bought a farm in Cannon County, about one
mile east of Auburn, Allison moved to it in December,
1859.
He
and A.
J.
Brewies opened a family grocery store at Auburn in March,
i860, and after running the business together for about six months the
former sold out to the latter.
About the first of June, 1861, T. M. Allison was elected to the
captaincy of the Auburn company, which, setting out from Auburn on
the 26th, was mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee for
twelve months on the 28th of June, 1861, at Nashville, and a few days
later became Company E of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry,
with which Captain Allison served through the first campaign into
Kentucky, under General ZoUicoffer. On our second campaign into
Kentucky Captain Allison, with twenty-five of his company, was de-
tached from the battalion and went through as escort for our general
from Jamestown, Tennessee, to Mill Springs, Kentucky, and after
remaining at ZoUicoffer's headquarters for some time our captain
rejoined the battalion at Camp Hall, in Wayne County, Kentucky.
He remained with the battalion until it fell back with the Confederate
army through Tennessee and North Alabama into Northern Missis-
sippi, and he was the only one of the original captains of the First
Battalion who remained with it until the re-enlistment and reorganiza-
tion at Jacinto, on the 14th of May, 1862. He then resigned and
returned to his home in Cannon County, Tennessee, one mile east of
Auburn.
On the 2d of August, 1862, a brigade of Federal cavalry passed
through Auburn going eastward, and halted for the night on John W.
Hays' farm. A detachment of twelve Federals was sent that evening
to Captain Allison's, about one mile distant, for the purpose of killing
him if found, as they themselves said. Not knowing that any Fed-
erals were in the neighborhood, the captain thought when he first saw
them coming that they were Confederates; nor did he learn his mis-
take until they were within one hundred and twenty-five yards of his
house, and he was then standing on his front porch. As soon as he
became satisfied that they were Federals, Captain Allison ran through
his house, across the back yard, and just as he was in the act of cross-
ing the fence between his yard and a cornfield, one of the Federals
shot him through the body, killing him instantly. His remains were
buried at Mr. James Ewing's family burying place.
I suppose that the only charge which the enemy could have had
against this noble and gallant man was that of being an ex-Confederate
Captain. Or perhaps the Federal commander had fears that the cap-
tain would make a "bushwhacker" if let live.
Allison made an excellent captain. He thought a great deal of the
men whom he had the honor to command, and his chief concern was
their welfare and comfort. He was a kind father, a devoted husband,
and a good neighbor. "He was as good a neighbor," says one who
lived near him, "as I ever had. He would take his horse from
the plow to accommodate me if I needed a horse worse than he did."
Captain Allison's widow died December 21st, 1886. Two of their
children (William O. and Sarah L.) are dead, and five (two sons
J.
William and Timothy P., and three daughters, Harriet E., now Mrs.
Barrett, N. Pairlee, and Ann E.) are living.
Appendix A. 003
CAPTAIN MOSES W. McKNIGHT.
M. W. McKnight, son of Alexander and Anna P. McKnight, was
born in Cannon County, Tennessee,
June 2 2d,
1833. He received a
common country school education in the old field school house known as
the "Old Buck Eye." He entered Irving College, near Cumberland
Mountain, Tennessee, at the age of fifteen, at which school he grad-
uated in
June,
1853,
paying for his own education and board during
the time by dint of hard labor.
He then taught schoolfirst at Hill's Academy, near Cainsville,
Wilson County, and next in Woodbury, the county seat of Cannon
County, Tennessee, during which time he read law under Major
J.
L.
Fare and the Hon. Charles Ready, and was admitted to the bar as an
attorney-at-law October 20th, 1858.
He married Miss Mary A. Fare, daughter of Major
J.
L. Fare,
September 20th,
1855, ^7
whom two children were bornSarah A.
(now Mrs. Dixon C. Williams) and Alexander
J.
(now conductor on
the Houston and Texas Central Railroad).'-'^
He entered the Confederate army as private in Captain T. M. Alli-
son's company, on the 28th of June, 1861. A few days after this
(about the 8th of July, 1861) he was elected sergeant-major of the
First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, in which position he served with
credit to himself and satisfaction to the battalion for nearly ten months.
At Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, Company E
(and so did the rest of McNairy's Battalion) re-enlisted for three years
or during the war, and elected M. W. McKnight captain, in place of
Captain T. M. Allison, who resigned and returned home.
On the reorganization and consolidation of the First and Seventh
Battalions, his company became Company C of the Second Tennessee
Regiment of Cavalry.
He served as captain of our company (C) until he was too badly
wounded to do any more service. And he was not a mere nominal
captain, but a good, kind, generous, loving, energetic, brave, daring
captain.
As our beloved captain has been so frequently mentioned in the
preceding pages, it is necessary to add but little more here in reference
to his military career. He frequently had the honor of commanding
*
How often did we hear our dear captain speak of "Mary and the babies."
R. R. PI.
the regiment in battle as well as in camp. He very gallantly led the
Second Tennessee* at the battle of Okolona. He was wounded in the
left breast late in the afternoon of that day's battle, but did not quit
the field.
At Paducah, Kentucky, March 25th, 1864, he was knocked lifeless
by the concussion of a shell or the flying bricks (the shell struck a
brick chimney). His head was fearfully crushedthe boys carried
him some distance, thinking he was dead. He soon sufficiently re-
covered, however, to be brought off in a buggy. He was first taken
to Trenton, Tennessee, then to Pontotoc, and finally to Okolona,
Mississippi. He had sufficiently recovered to be at the head of his
company again at the battle of Brice's Cross-Roads June
loth, and
during the exciting pursuit of General Sturgis back toward Memphis.
Late in the afternoon of
July
13th, 1864, he was again severely
wounded while gallantly leading the "Sangs," at the cross-roads, some
two and a half miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi (where General
Buford ordered Colonel Barteau to attack General A.
J.
Smith with
the Second Tennessee, unsupported). He was wounded between the
knee and ankleone bone was shivered. He was sent from the hos-
pital near Harrisburg to Colonel
J.
D. McAllister's, in Aberdeen,
Mississippi. It would seem that he did not only suffer from the effects
of the last wound, but also from a relapse of the wound which he had
received at Paducah in March previous. To use the captain's own
language, he "was near death's door over three months."
While thus confined at Aberdeen (in August, 1864) Captain Mc-
Knight was promoted to the rank of colonel of cavalry, by order of
General Forrest. Nor was it by any hearsay testimony that the Gen-
eral thus expressed his high appreciation of the merits of the captain
as a commander, for he had not only seen our captain at the head of
his company in battle, but he had also seen him (the captain) lead the
Second Tennessee Regiment into action,
f
About two weeks after he
had been raised to the rank of colonel, General Forrest was in Aber-
deen and took dinner with McKnight's host. It was then and there
that he told Forrest that he would not willingly accept any promotion
that would take him from his old company, nor would he assume any
command that would interfere with Colonel Barteau or Lieutenant-Col-
*
Colonel Barteau was commanding the brigade and Lieutenant-Colonel Mor-
ton was on detached service.
tBe assured that when Forrest promoted an officer, he (the officer) had pre-
viously merited the promotion.
Appendix A. 605
onel Morton. Forrest replied that it would all be arranged satisfac-
torily. But, unfortunately, he was not, during the rest of the war, able
for field service, and he would not take command of a post.
After returning from the Hood Campaign Forrest gave McKnight
permission to go to West Tennessee, or anywhere he desired. Accord-
ingly, about the 25th of March,
1865,
he left Aberdeen and went to
West Tennessee.
When Forrest's Cavalry surrendered the General did not forget our
captain, but sent his parole to him in care of General Bell.
In concluding his military career I wish to add that he was devoted
to the Sangs, while they loved him with almost filial affection. When
one of them got into trouble he felt that he had at least one true friend
who would stand by him to the last, and get him out of the trouble
if it could possibly be done.* I shall here relate an incident as an
illustration of the above fact, as well as his devotion to the men whom
he had the honor of commanding. When one of his men was ordered
to be put under arrest without a sufficient cause. Captain McKnight
said to the commanding officer: "My man has done no wrofig, there-
fore he shall not be put under arrest while life remains in my body."
And to show that we are still kindly remembered by him I take the
following from letters which I have recently received (in 1886) from
our captain: "It was the pride and joy of my life to be with the old
'Sangs.' I want all their names kept fresh in my own memory, as
they are warmly cherished in my heart." He closes one letter thus:
"
Love to all the Sangs, their wives, their children, their widows and
orphans."
After the war he returned to his old home, Woodbury, Cannon
County, Tennessee, and was elected President of the Woodbury Male
and P'emale College, which institution he presided over for about three
years, and at the same time looking after his law practice, which was
good.
In 1870 he was elected Attorney-General of the Seventh Judicial
Circuit of Tennessee, which position he filled until
1878, and in 1880
he removed to Waxahachie, Texas, where he now
(1887) lives and
has a splendid law practice.
*And our cai^tain seldom failed.
LIEUTENANT H. L. W. TURNEY.
Hugh Lawson White Turkey, son of Joseph and Mary Turney,
was born in DeKalb County, Tennessee, October 13th,
1837. He
was raised a farmer and educated in the ordinary country schools.
After reading law awhile at home he went to Smithville, county seat
of DeKalb, and had read law about one year under Judge Robert
Cantrell when our late war broke out.
He enlisted as a private in Captain T. M. Allison's company,
which was mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee for
twelve months at Nashville, on the 28th of June, 1861, and about
seven days later it became Company E of the First Battalion of Ten-
nessee Cavalry.
When our battalion re-enlisted for three years, or during the war,
at Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, Turney was made
first lieutenant of the company in which he had served as a private
for nearly one year. At the same time and place M. W. McKnight
was made captain of our company, which, on the 12th of June, 1862,
became Company C of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. As our cap-
tain, McKnight, was frequently either in command of the regiment or
disabled by wounds. Lieutenant Turney was a good portion of the
time in command of our company. Among the many engagements
in which he so gallantly led our company, I shall mention Cherokee,
in North Alabama, the Tory fight on the luka-Fulton road, Fort Pil-
low, Harrisburg, after Captain McKnight was wounded, and at Mem-
phis, Tennessee, on the 21st of August,
1864, this daring officer led
our company for the last time. When our color bearer, H. C. Odom,
fell, in front of the State Female College, in the edge of the city, Tur-
ney sprang to the rescue of our colors and the assistance of Odom,
who was severely wounded, and just as he was stooping to lift Odom
to his feet his right arm was shivered above the elbow, and was after-
ward amputated. He was brought back to Hernando, Mississippi, in
an ambulance, and left at Dr. Love's, within two miles of that place,
where he was well cared for. Thinking that he was in danger of being
captured, he remained there only one week. He then mounted his
horse and rode to the vicinity of Okolona, Mississippi.
In the spring of 1865 Lieutenant Turney went to Dyer County,
West Tennessee, where he was engaged teaching school when the war
closed. At his request, his mother sent his law books to him by Cap-
Appendix A. 607
tain McKnight. As soon as liis school was out he commenced read-
ing law agam, and was, a few months later, admitted to the bar as an
attorney-at-law at Dyersburg, the county seat of Dyer County. He
visited his mother and relatives in Middle Tennessee in the fall
of 1865.
In May, 1867,
Lieutenant Turney married Mrs. Nancy Connel,
who owned a farm about one mile from Dyersburg. He still contin-
ued practicing law at Dyersburg and looking after his wife's farm up
to his death, which occurred on the i6th of February, 1880. His
wife had died about two years previous. He left no children. He
willed his law books to the young lawyers of Dyer County, and all the
rest of his estate, after all debts were paid, to his mother, who is now
(1887)
living in DeKalb County, Tennessee. His father died before
the war.
LIEUTENANT
J.
S. HARRISON.
J.
S. Harrison was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, on the
8th of May, 1831. His father, Edmon R. Harrison, was born at the
same place March i8th, 1807,
and died at the same place about
August, 1 88 1. His mother, Mrs. R. M. Harrison (her maiden name
was Hawkins), was born in Virginia on the ist of May, 1805, and is
still living.
J.
S. Harrison remained on the farm until about sixteen, having in
the meantime commenced his education in the ordinary country
schools. Then after attending Union Academy in Wilson County for
a. short time he was sent to Alpine College, in Overton County, where
he finished his literary course at about the age of twenty. In Octo-
ber, 1852,
he commenced reading medicine at Rome, Smith County,
Tennessee, under Dr.
J.
L. Thompson. After reading for two years
he attended the Medical College at Nashville in
1854
and
1855. He
commenced practicing medicine at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennes-
see, in October,
1855.
Miss Julia E. West, daughter of John and Mary West, was born in
DeKalb County February ist,
1834,
and became the wife of Doctor
Harrison on the 23d of December, 1856. Remaining at Liberty until
the breaking out of our late civil war. Dr. Harrison had established
quite a reputation as a practicing physician. He was especially noted
for going promptly and in haste to see his patients. He made medi-
cal visits to my father's family, ten miles from Liberty.
Dr. Harrison enlisted as a private in Captain T. M. Allison's com-
608 li. 11. Hancock's Diary.
pany, which was mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee
at Nashville on the 28th of June, 186 r, and a few days later became
Company E of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry.
At Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, he re-enlisted
for three years, or during the war, and was made third lieutenant of
our company, which, one month after, became Company C of the
Second Tennessee Cavalry. Being one among the true and faithful,
he served as third lieutenant of Company C from this to the close of
the war. He was in nearly every engagement in which the Second
Tennessee took part. He was frequently in command of our com-
pany, especially after Captain McKnight and Lieutenant Turney were
permanently disabled. His right arm was broken at the battle of
Harrisburg, Mississippi, while gallantly breasting the storm of grape
and canister, as well as the small-arm volleys, which poured forth
from behind the Federal breastworks on that memorable occasion.
He was in command of the company during the famous Hood Cam-
paign in December, 1864.
Lieutenant Harrison frequently acted as surgeon of the Second
Tennessee, which position he filled with satisfaction to our sick and.
wounded.
He surrendered with Forrest's Cavalry, and was paroled at Gaines-
ville, Sumter County, Alabama, May loth, 1865.
On his return to Tennessee Dr. Harrison located at Smithville,
the county seat of DeKalb County, where he had a lucrative practice
for about eighteen years. On the ist of November,
1883,
he removed
from Smithville to McMinnville, the county seat of Warren County,
where he now
(1887)
resides, and is still practicing his profession.
He is now fifty six years old, but active, and enjoys fine health. He
has no children.
LIEUTENANT GEORGE LOVE.
George Love, son of James F. and Maria Love, was born October
i8th, 1835,
in Sumner County, Tennessee, five miles north of Galla-
tin. He was raised on the farm, and educated at the Wallace School-
house, near his father's residence.
When about eighteen years old he commenced business as a clerk
for William Moore, who kept a family grocery at Gallatin. After
clerking for Mr. Moore for about two years, he was next a clerk in
Parker & Holder's dry goods house for about three years. He went
from Gallatin to Nashville in 1858, and did business there for John
Appendix A. 609
Ramage & Son {boot and shoe business) until the breaking out of our
late war.
George Love entered the Confederate service as Second Lieutenant
in Captain H. B. Boude"s company, which, on the 19th of October,
1 86
1,
became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee
Cavalry. He served as second lieutenant under Captain Boude
until after the battle of Shiloh.
Near Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of June, 1862, Boude's and
Tyree's companies were consolidated, and William T. Rickman was
made captain, and the subject of this sketch was made first lieu-
tenant of this consolidated company, which, at the same time and
place, became Company D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.
After passing through many hard-fought battles, always doing his
full duty. Lieutenant Love fell, mortally wounded, while so daringly
breasting the missiles of death at Fort Pillow on the 12th of April,
1864. Being rather retiring and unassuming, though generous, kind,
and obliging, he had won many friends, and, therefore, he was much
missed and greatly lamented, not only by his own company, but all of
the regiment.
I take the following from the Manuscript Notes of Colonel Barteau:
"A singular instance of a premonition of death occurred in the
case of Lieutenant Love. As an officer, he was popular with his
men, and always calm and fearless at the post of duty. Li the morn-
ing he called several of his company around him and told them, in a
quiet manner, that he should be killed that day. He gave directions
for the disposal, among the command, of his horse and little posses-
sions, arranged for the payment of his small debts, and wrote a fare-
well letter to his orphan sister, living at Gallatin, Tennessee.
"He led his company on, and at eleven o'clock was laid low by a
canister shot from one of the enemy's guns. We buried him the next
morning. His memory lives in the hearts of all his surviving com-
rades, and the regiment could boast of no braver soldier or better
man."
LIEUTENANT F. WILLL-VM YOUREE.
"Bill" Youree, son of A. P. and M. A. Youree, was born De-
cember nth, 1838, in Sumner County, Tennessee, two and a half
miles east of Gallatin. He was raised on the farm and educated at
the Male College in Gallatin. On the 15th of August, i860, he mar-
ried Miss Fannie M. Youree, daughter of W. C. and Catherine R,
Youree.
39
6i0 K. K. Hancock's Djaky.
F. W. Youree entered the Confederate service as private in Cap-
tain E. P. Tyree's company, which, on the 19th of October, 1861,
became Company C of the Seventh BattaHon of Tennessee Cavalry.
On the 1 2th of June, 1862, Tyree's and Boude's companies were con-
solidated, and the subject of this sketch was made second lieutenant of
this consolidated company, which then became Company D of the
Second Tennessee Cavalry. He served as second lieutenant for
about two years. After Lieutenant George Love was killed at Fort
Pillow, Youree was promoted to first lieutenancy, which position he
held to the close of the war. Much praise is due Lieutenant Youree
for the gallant manner in which he led Company D during the last two
days' fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi, 14th and 15th of
July,
1864. As the command passed Corinth in November, 1864, on the
way to join General Hood at Florence, Alabama, the lieutenant was
granted a leave of absence for a few days to visit his wife, who was
then sick at Verona, Mis.sissippi. When he rejoined the regiment in
Middle Tennessee his company (D) had been detached and sent into
Sumner County to tear up the railroad, so he remained with the regi-
ment until his company returned.
Lieutenant Youree was with the regiment during the final campaign
into Central Alabama, and surrendered with it at Gainesville, Ala-
bama, and was paroled May loth, 1865,
reaching home in Sumner
County by the last of the month. After remaining on the farm about
three years he built a towboat, "Katie Vertrees," at Nashville. He
used her in the Cumberland River and tributaries for three years.
He then built the "CaneyFork," at Paducah, Kentucky, which he
used between that place and the Upper Cumberland about two years,
after which he returned to his farm, two and a quarter miles east of
Gallatin, where he now
(1887)
lives.
Lieutenent Youree's wife spent nearly three years of the war in
North Mississippi, and did valuable service in waiting on the sick and
wounded. She made out nearly all the muster rolls for Company D.
On attempting to return home just before the war closed she was
arrested by the Federals and put in the penitentiary at Nashville,
charged with being a spy. Her friends, however, soon succeeded in
having her released.
They have three sons, William C, F. W.,
Jr..
and Thomas P.,
and one daughter, Anna L.
Appendix A. 611
LIEUTENANT
J.
M. CANTRELL.
John
M. Cantrell, son of William and Sarah Cantrell, was born
December 29th,
1833,
in Sumner County, Tennessee, seven miles
south-west of Gallatin. He was raised on the farm and educated in
the country schools and at the Male College in Gallatin.
In 1850 he went to Quincy, Gadsden County, Florida, where he
spent one year hunting and four farming, after which he returned to
his native county. He married Miss M. E. Absten. daughter of
Merry C. and Mary A. Absten, in Sumner County, on the 28th of
December,
1859.
J.
M. Cantrell enlisted as private in Captain Boude's company,
which, in October, 1861, became Company A of the Seventh Battal-
ion, and on the 12th of June, 1862, it became Company D of the Sec-
ond Tennessee Cavalry.
As a compliment for past services, his comrades made him second
lieutenant, about May, 1864. This was after F. W. Youree had
been promoted to first lieutenancy in the same company.
Lieutenant Cantrell made a splendid officer, and stood high in the
estimation of his company, as well as the rest of the regiment. He
was wounded in the thigh at Harrisburg
July
14th, 1864, while boldly
end^voring to gain the Federal stronghold. On the 8th of November,
1864,
when the Second and a part of the Seventh Tennessee were
surrounded at Martin's Bluff, on Cypress Creek, two and a half miles
west of Florence, Alabama, Lieutenant Cantrell's horse was shot from
under him as we were cutting our way out through the Federal lines,
though he made good his escape, unhurt, save the stun caused by the
fall.
After serving on faithfully to the close of the war, and laying down
his arms for the last time at Gainesville, Alabama, May loth,
1865,
Lieutenant Cantrell returned home and commenced farming in Sumner
County. Soon after the war closed he removed to Washington County,
Mississippi, and raised two cotton crops there, after which he moved
back to his native county and State, where he now
(1887)
lives. In
August, 1880, he was elected sheriff of Sumner County, and was re-
elected twice; his last term of office expired in August, 1886. One
of his old comrades, Lieutenant T. R. Love, and his son, Willie,
were his deputies. It is said that Sumner County has never had a
sheriff who did his duty more faithfully nor gave more general satis-
612
K. E. Hancock's Diary.
faction than did our comrade, Cantrell. He had the misfortune to
lose his wife about 1885. He has two childrena son (Willie E.)
and daughter (Mary).
LIEUTENANT EDWARD
J.
BULLOCK.
E.
J.
Bullock, son of James
T. and Mildred G. Bullock, was-
born in Clark County, Kentucky, on the 23d of October,
1833,
and
he was raised and educated in the same county. He was a worthy
son of a noble sire. The Bullocks were among the best families of
Kentucky. Ed. was trading in horses when the war broke out. He
enlisted in the Confederate service at Gallatin, Tennessee, as a private
in Captain Boude's company, which, on the 19th of October, 1861,
became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry,
and on the 12th of June, 1862, it became Company D of the Second
Tennessee Cavalry. I think it was in the latter part of 1863
or the
early part of 1864 that he was made third lieutenant in Company D.
Lieutenant Bullock was an excellent soldier, and did valiant service
both as private and officer. After passing through many hard-fought
battles unhurt, he fell, severely wounded in the leg, while gallantly
assisting in leading his company against fearful odds at Old Town
Creek, about three miles north of Harrisburg, Mississippi, just before
sunset on the 15th of July, 1864. He was captured and carried to a
house on the north side of said creek, where the Federal surgeons
amputated his leg. He fell into our hands again the next day, and a
few days later this noble, daring, and gifted young officer quietly
breathed his last, and his remains were interred near Harrisburg. He
was much beloved, and greatly lamented by all of his comrades.
LIEUTENANT JAMES KNOX DODD.
L
K. DoDD, son of William and Matilda A. Dodd, was born Sep-
tember 2ist, 1839,
near Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. His
father was born in Bedford. County, Tennessee, and after remaining
in Indiana but a short time he (William Dodd) moved back to Ten.
nessee, and settled in Sumner County, two miles north of Gallatin,
where
J.
K. Dodd was raised on the farm. He was educated mainly
in public schoolsattending the Male College at Gallatin only one ses-
sion. He entered the Confederate service in Captain Boude's com-
pany,
which became Company A of the Seventh Battalion, and Com-
pany D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.
J.
K. Dodd was slightly wounded at Medon, Tennessee, August
Appendix A. 613
31st, 1862. While an independent scout he was captured near New
Albany, Mississippi, about the i8th of August,
1863, by Colonel
Grierson's expedition, and sent to Alton, Illinois, where he remained
about five or six months. He was exchanged at City Point, Virginia,
and after halting near Richmond about five weeks, on account of small-
pox, he rejoined the regiment at Okolona, Mississippi. He was shot
through the thigh at Fort Pillow, April 12th, 1864.
After that gallant and gifted young officer, Ed. Bullock, was mor-
tally wounded at Old Town Creek,
July 15th,
1864,
J-
K. Dodd was
elected third lieutenant of Company D, which position he held until
the war closed. Suffice it to say that Lieutenant Dodd did his duty
faithfully to the end, and surrendered with the regiment at Gainesville,
Alabama, May loth, 1865, and about fifteen days later he was with
"loved ones at home," in old Sumner, where he has been farming
ever since.
Lieutenant Dodd was elected Sheriff of Sumner County in August,
1874,
and was re-elected in '76 and '78; his last term of office expired
in 1880. Two of the "Old Second,"
J.
K. Dodd and
J.
M. Cantrell,
made as good sheriffs as Sumner has ever had.
The former married Miss Florence Wood, daughter of John
and
Darthulia Wood, on the 22d of December, 188 1. They have one
daughterMary.
CAPTAIN GEORGE EDWARD SEAY.
G. E. Seay was born in Hartsville, Tennessee, then Sumner
County, but now the county seat of Trousdale County. His father,
Edward T. Seay, was a native of Virginia. His mother's maiden
name was Mary B. Seawell. She was a native Tennessean.
The subject of this sketch was educated at Hartsville and Cumber-
land University, Lebanon, Tennessee. He graduated at the latter
school in June, i860. Having decided to make the law his profession
he entered the Law School at Lebanon, where he remained until the
breaking out of the war, when he returned to Hartsville and enlisted
as a private in Captain D. L. Goodall's company, which, on the 5th of
May, 1 86
1,
became Company H of the Second Tennessee Infantry,
commanded by Colonel Wm. B. Bate. Captain Goodall was made
lieutenant-colonel, and William Henry was elected to the captaincy
of Company H. Bate's regiment went at once to Virginia, where it
remained until February, 1862, when it re-enlisted for three years or
"during the war," and was transferred to the army in Tennessee,
under General A. S. Johnston.
614 E. E. Hancock's Diaky.
In the latter part of March, 1862, Geo. E. Seay was regularly
transferred to Captain C. L. Bennett's company (B) of the Seventh
Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, in which he served as a private until
the reorganization of the company, near Fulton, Mississippi, June i2th^
1862. He was then elected first lieutenant, and W. A. DeBow cap-
tain, and at the same time his company became Company E of the
Second Tennessee Cavalry. He served as first lieutenant of Com-
pany E for nearly three years. During the time he frequently acted
as adjutant of the regiment, and was also many times in command of
his company while Captain DeBow was either in command of the reg-
iment or absent from some other cause.
Soon after the first assault upon the Federal works at Harrisburg,
Mississippi, July
14th, 1864,
Lieutenant Seay found himself in com-
mand of the regiment, all of his superiors present having been killed,,
wounded, or disabled. Though but a lieutenant, he here proved him-
self fully competent to command a regiment. It was here, too, that a
ball passed through his canteen, struck his watch and glanced off. No
doubt but that his canteen and watch saved him from being either
killed or severely wounded at Harrisburg.
When General Forrest was retreating from Middle Tennessee, the
I St of October, 1864, Lieutenant Seay, who had been sick for several
days, was left at a house by the wayside to die. In place of dying,
however, he was able to ride again in about three weeks. He and
Chilton Allen, who had waited on him during his illness, then set out
for home near Hartsville. Finding that it would be very dangerous
for them to go home they stopped for several days on an island in the
Cumberland River near Hartsville, where their friends and relatives
visited them. Iêarning in the meantime that General Forrest had
gone into West Tennessee, the lieutenant and his companion set out
to rejoin their command there. On making their way through the
Federal lines without any mishap, and crossing the Tennessee River,
they learned that Forrest had burned the Federal supplies and boats at
Johnsonville, and was then on his way to join General Hood at Flor-
ence, Alabama. They caught up with the Second Tennessee, how-
ever, before reaching that place.
George E. Seay continued to serve as first lieutenant until our
regiment and Colonel Wilson's were consolidated in March,
1865,
when he was elected captain of his company, which became Company
B of the new organization. At the same time W. A. DeBow, the
former captain of this company, was promoted to major.
I
Appendix A. 615
Captain Seay commanded Company B until the close of the war,
and was paroled with our regiment at Gainesville, Alabama, May loth,
1865. He returned home about the last of May. He married Miss
Mary Lauderdale on the 14th of August,
1865, and commenced prac-
ticing law about the same time.
Having been elected over two opponents, Captain Seay represent-
ed the counties of Sumner, Smith, and Macon in the Constitutional
Convention of 1870, which framed the present Constitution of the
State of Tennessee. During the same year he removed from Harts-
ville to Gallatin, where he has ever since resided.
In August,
1878, he was elected Chancellor of the Sixth Chancery
Division, defeating
Judge B.
J.
Tarver by a handsome majority. As
to how faithfully and honestly our comrade, George E. Seay, discharged
his duty as judge it is only necessary to say that he was re-elected in
August, 1886, over the Hon. Charles R. Head by an overwhelming
majority. This shows the general satisfaction which his first term of
judgeship gave to the people of the Sixth Chancery Division. His
present term expires the ist of September,
1894.
While on the
bench it is Judge Seay, but when he steps down from that exalted po-
sition he is that same kind-hearted, sociable, familiar ''George'" that he
was when he mixed and mingled with his comrades around the camp
fire in days of yore. No man is prouder of the record made by the
soldiers of the Confederacy than
Judge Seay, and his old comrades
have a warm place in his heart and memory.
The Judge has an interesting family, which is composed of a wife
and six children, three sons (Edward T., Harry L., and Dero E.) and
three daughters (Clara L., now Mrs. Frank Wheat, of Nashville, Ten-
nessee, Annie, and Katie Lee).
LIEUTENANT THOMAS
J.
CARMAN.
T.
J.
Carman, son of Caleb and Elizabeth Carman, was born
March 7th, 1842, in Smith (now Trousdale) County, Tennessee, two
and a half miles south-east of Hartsville. After attending country
schools until he was about fourteen years old, he entered the Harts-
ville Male Academy, where he remained until the breaking out of the
war.
The subject of this sketch was mustered into the Confederate ser-
vice at Hartsville as second sergeant of Captain C. L Bennett's com-
pany, which, on the 19th of October, 1861, became Company B of the
Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalrv. He served as second st r-
6- ! E. K. Hancock's Diary.
geant until the reorganization of his company, near Fulton, Missis-
sippi, on the 1 2th of June, 1862, when he was elected third lieuten-
ant of his company, which at the same time became Company E of
the Second Tennessee.
Lieutenant Carman discharged his duty fully and faithfully. He
was always ready and willing to go wherever and whenever duty called.
He gallantly led Company E at the storming of Fort Pillow, and he
was in command of his company during the Hood Campaign when
the Second Tennessee, as well as the rest of Forrest's Cavalry, had
so much hard fighting to do.
When our regiment was consolidated with Colonel Wilson's Regi-
ment in March,
1865,
Carman was promoted to the first lieutenancy
of his company, in which capacity he served to the close of the war.
He surrendered with the Second Tennessee and was paroled at Gaines-
ville, Alabama, May loth,
1865, and returned home by the last of the
month. He has been farming ever since the war about two and a
half miles south-east of Hartsville.
CAPTAIN
JOHN A. BRINKLEY.
J.
A. Brinkley, son of James and Martha
J.
Brinkley, was born in
Granville County, North Carolina. His father moved to Sumner
County, Tennessee, when the subject of this sketch was in his third
year. He was raised on a farm a few miles north of Gallatin, and was
educated in the old field schools of Sumner.
J.
A. Brinkley entered the Confederate service as second sergeant
in Captain M. T. Griffin's company, which, on the 19th of October,
1 86
1,
became Company D of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee
Cavalry. He served as second sergeant until the reorganization of
his company near Fulton, Mississippi,
June 12th, 1862, when he was
made captain of his company, which, at the same time, became Com-
pany F of the Second Tennessee. He held the position of captain
from this time to the close of the war. He made an excellent captain,
too, and was highly esteemed by the men whom he had the honor to
command.
Notwithstanding Captain Brinkley so gallantly led his company on
so many hard-fought fields, he was not seriously wounded during the
war, though he was disabled for a few weeks from the effect of a sun-
stroke which he received late in the afternoon of the 13th of
July,
1864,
and his horse was shot from under him in some action, but I
cannot now name the place.
Appendix A. 63 f
Captain Brinkley surrendered with the regiment at Gainesville,
Alabama, and was paroled May loth, 1865. After halting for a few
days in North Mississippi, he returned home, in Sumner County, Ten-
nessee, in June.
In a few weeks, hovvever, he returned to Mississippi
and married Miss Mary McMillen, of Plantersville, Itawamba County.
The captain brought his wife to Tennessee, and resided in Sumner
County until 1868. Then going back to Mississippi again, he settled
near Verona, in what is now Lee County, where he has been farming
ever since. He had the misfortune to lose his wife in May, 1882. The
choice of his second marriage, about 1884,
was Miss Eola Gibson,
with whom he now
(1887)
lives near Verona.
Captain Brinkley has two sons, William A. and Robert Lee (the
latter is dead), and four daughters, Martha F., Nancy E., Maggie A.,
and Evie.
LIEUTENANT JAMES T. AUSTIN.
J.
T. Austin, son of John and Rhoda Austin, was born April 22d,
1838,
in Sumner County, Tennessee, about seventeen miles north-
west of Gallatin, where he was raised on a farm and educated in the
country schools.
He married Miss Malinda S. Brinkley, a sister to Captain John
A.
Brinkley, May 23d, 1858.
J.
T. Austin enlisted in the Confederate service as private in Cap-
tain M. T. Griffin's company, which on the 19th of October, 1861,
became Company D of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry.
He was made orderly sergeant of said company in March, 1862,
which position he held up to the reorganization in June
following,
when he was elected first lieutenant of his company, which at the
same time became Company F of the Second Tennessee. He served
as first lieutenant from June 12th, 1862, to the close of the war, with
honor to himself and satisfaction to the company.
Lieutenant Austin was severely wounded in the left thigh while
pressing forward in the front rank, at Birmingham, Mississippi, on the
24th of April, 1863. It was three or four months before he was able
for duty again. While gallantly leading Company F, near the cross-
roads, two and a half miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi, late in
the afternoon of the 13th of
July,
1864where so many of the Second
Tennessee fell, either killed or woundedLieutenant Austin was again
severely wounded in the right shoulder, from the effect of which he
was disabled for about two months.
After recovering from this last wound, he served on faithfully to
the close of the war, and was paroled at Gainesville, Alabama, Maj-^
loth, 1865. On the 23d he returned to that dear spot
homein
Sumner County, Tennessee, where he has been farming ever since.
He was deputy sheriff for six yearsfrom August,
1874,
to August,
1880under
J.
K. Dodd. His wife is still
(1887)
living. They have
two childerena son (Gustavus H.) and a daughter (Maggie Lee).
LIEUTENANT JOHN
ERVIN DENNING.
J.
E. Denning, son of James and Mary G. Denning, was born at
Fountain Head, Sumner County, West Tennessee, December 24th,
1839.
He first attended school at Fountain Head, after which he
entered the Male College at Gallatin, where he remained for several
sessions. He finished his literary course at Caledonia, Henry County,
West Tennessee. On returning to Fountain Head, he commenced
studying medicine under Dr. E. Dyrum. His father died on the 12th of
January, i860; his mother is still
(1887)
living at Fountain Head.
He was, at the breaking out of our late war, studymg medicine as
above mentioned, and at the same time looking after his mother's farm.
J.
E. Denning enlisted at Gallatin as a private in Captain William
B. Bate's company, which on the 5th of May, 1861, became Com-
pany I of the Second Tennessee Infantry. Captain W. B. Bate was
elected colonel of the regiment, and
J.
P. Tyree was elected captain
to fill vacancy in Company I. Bate's regiment was immediately sent
to Virginia, where Denning served with it until the first of February,
1862. The regiment then re-enlisted for "three years or during the
war," and was granted a furlough for sixty days. On reaching Mur-
freesboro, Tennessee, Bate's men met the retreating Confederates on
their way to Corinth, Mississippi. It was here that Denning succeeded
in getting a transfer from Bate's regiment to Captain Griffin's com-
pany (D) of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry.
After going on home and remaining at Fountain Head and vicinity
for about three weeks. Denning rejoined the Seventh Battalion near
Corinth. He served as private in Captain Griffin's Company until the
Seventh Battalion re-enlisted, reorganized, and was consolidated with
the First, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862. He was then
elected second lieutenant of his company, which became Company F
of the Second Tennessee, in which position he served for two years
and one month.
Lieutenant Denning made an excellent officer and was highly es-
teemed by all of our regiment. He was always ready and willing to
AiPENinx A. 61^
go wherever duty called, however great the danger. After he had
passed through many engagements with the enemy unhurt, he visited
home, for the last time as it proved, in January or February, 1864.
He appeared now to have a premonition of his impending fate. On
leaving home at other times he had never seemed to apprehend any
danger but what he would return agam, but on leaving home this time
he told his mother that he never expected to see home any more. He^
rejoined his company, however, and passed through the actions at Pa-
ducah, Fort Pillow, and Price's Cross-Roads unhurt.
His captain,
J.
A. Brinkley, was disabled by sunstroke on the eve
of the 13th of July, 1864,
and the first lieutenant,
J.
T. Austin, was
severely wounded. This left Lieutenant Denning in command of
Company F. The battle of Harrisburg, Mississippi, was fought the
next day. Before going into action that morning he went to one Mr.
Trice's, who lived hard by, and in conversation with his daughter the
lieutenant coolly and quietly remarked that he expected to be killed
that day. Miss Trice tried to laugh him out of such an idea, and said,
"
You are too gallant a soldier to have such thoughts." He replied,
"It is too serious a matter to make a joke of." After handing twa
watches to Miss Trice to take care of for him, and putting on his best
suit of clothes he rejoined his company, and a few hours later, while
making a gallant attempt to lead the already shattered remains of his-
companv into the enemy's stronghold at Harrisburg, Lieutenant John
E. Denning fell to rise no more. No braver soldier or better man
than our heroic Denning fell on that memorable occasion. His mem-
ory lives in the hearts of all his surviving comrades. He was buried
and his remains still rest near Harrisburg.
LIEUTENANT
J.
NEWSOM PENUEL.
J.
N. Penuel, son of Alanson and Nancy Penuel, was born Oc-
tober 20th, 1840, in Davidson County, Tennessee. He was educated
mainly at Nashville. His father moved to Sumner County in Febru-
ary, i860, and settled near Fountain Head, twelve miles north of
Gallatni, where the subject of this sketch was engaged in farming
when the war broke out.
In October, 1861,
J.
N. Penuel enlisted in the Confederate service
in Captain Griffin's company (D) of the Seventh Battalion. He was
elected orderly sergeant, but refused to serve. He served as private
until the reorganization, June
12th, 1862. He was then elected third
lieutenant, and his company became Company F of the Second
Tennessee.
620
About the 14th of June, 1862, Lieutenant Penuel was ordered to
report to Captain Hill at Fulton, Mississippi, with a detachment of
twenty-two men from our regiment. The latter was instructed to go,
with a part of his company and Penuel's detachment, to the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad and burn a bridge on that road near Buzzard
Roost, North Alabama. On reaching a point within five miles of the
bridge. Captain Hill decided to do the work in hand with only ten
men, so Lieutenant Penuel rejoined his command with the rest of the
men. He was post commander at Pontotoc, Mississippi, for about
four weeks, and was then relieved at his own request.
After doing much gallant service, and passing through many
actions with the enemy, the lieutenant was captured on the nth of
November, 1863,
and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained
until after the war closedabout nineteen months. Having been re-
leased on parole, he reached Nashville, Tennessee, 17th of June, 1865.
A few weeks after his arrival at Nashville, Lieutenant Penuel was
employed as prison guard by Andrew Johnson (ex-President Johnson's
nephew), who was then warden of the State prison. After serving
two and a half years as guard, Penuel was sent to East Tennessee,
where he served as deputy warden for four and a half years. On re-
turning to Nashville, he engaged for one year in the grocery business
with his brother, T. L. Penuel, after which he was night watch for
J.
W. McCuUough for five years and seven months. He is now
(1887),
and has been since April,
1885,
in the furniture business with
his brother and
J.
D. Bennett, No. 207 Broad Street, Nashville,
Tennessee.
Lieutenant Penuel married Miss Bettie Jones, of Edgefield,
Jan-
uary ist, 1878, by whom he has four childrentwo sons (John B. and
William A.) and two daughters (Mary R. and Chrissie E.). He had
the misfortune to lose his first wife on the 13th of
July, 1883.
The choice of his second marriage, on the 19th of December, 1884,
was Miss Mary E. Shivers, of Goodlettsville. He has two children
(Harry S. and Annie L.) by his last wife.
CAPTAIN THOMAS PURYEAR.
T. PuRYEAR, son of Jamcs and Sallie Puryear, was born November
25th,
1833,
in Sumner (now Trousdale) County, Tennessee, five miles
south of Hartsville. He was by occupation a farmer, and educated
at the Hartsville Male Academy.
He married Miss Talitha Reeves, of Wilson County, daughter of
John and Sarah Reeves, on the 6th of January, 1858.
Appendix A. 621
In August,
1859,
he was elected railroad tax-collector of Sumner
County, which position he held for two years, and was re-elected in
1861. Owing to the breaking out of our late war, he did not seive
out his last term.
Having previously enlisted about forty-five of his neighbors,
Thomas Puryear went with them to Gallatin about the last of Novem-
ber, 1 86
1,
to join the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry.
Enough men were detached from Companies A and B of said battalion
and added to Puryear's enlistment to make a full company, which
became Company F of the Seventh Battalion, with
J.
T. E. Odorn,
captain, and Thomas Puryear, first lieutenant.
The latter served as first lieutenant of Company F until the reor-
ganization of his company, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862.
According to the "conscript" law. Lieutenant Puryear was now at
liberty to resign and return home; in place of doing so, however, he
re-enlisted "for three years, or during the war." Companies E and
F were here consolidated, and Puryear* was made captain of the
consolidated company, which, at the same time, became Company G
of the Second Tennessee.
By kindness in camp and gallantry in action he soon won the confi-
dence and love of the men whom he had the honor to command. He
also stood high in the estimation of his superiors.
When General Sherman was on his march from Memphis to Chat-
tanooga, the Second Tennessee went into North Alabama under Gen-
eral S. D. Lee to assist in tearing up the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad, and otherwise annoy Sherman as much as possible. During
this expedition our regiment had a great deal of hard fighting to do.
"Memorable to all of the 'Old Second' will be the engagement at
Cherokee on the 21st of October, 1863,
where we mourned to number
among our lost that noble and generous Captain Thomas Puryear, of
Company G. Here he received his death wound at the head of his
company, with drawn saber urging forward to victory.
"We were fighting superior numbers, which he knew, and just as
he received his wound the regiment was temporarily forced back.
Private John
P. Mills and myself rushed to him, determined he should
not fall into the hands of the enemy, when he urged us to leave him
and save ourselves, as we could not save him, but we carried him
back where he was taken to the hospital. After lingering about eight
"As to how he was made captain, see sketch of Captain
J.
M. Eastes, next
after this.
<522 E. R. Haxoook's Diary.
days he quietly breathed his last, his soul returning to the God who
gave it.
"Never did a braver soldier respond to a bugle-call than Captain
Thomas Puryear."*
The captain's wife had heard that he was severely wounded, and
Avas just in the act of starting to see him when she received the heart-
rending news that her dear husband was dead. He left one child, a
son
Joseph Richard.
The captain's widow now
(1887)
lives in the northern portion of
Wilson County, and her son, who is now a practicing physician, and
has an accomplished lady for a wife, is living with her (his mother).
CAPTAIN JONATHAN M. EASTES.
J.
M. Eastes was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, January 5th,
1838. When very young his parents moved to Smith County, in the
-same State, and settled on Hogan's Creek, three miles south of Car-
thage, where his mother, now in her seventy-third year, still lives.
In 1850,
October 21st, when Jonathan was in his thirteenth year, his
father died, leaving a widow with four boys, aged respectively thir-
teen, eight, five and two years.
Jonathan, the older by five years, shouldered the responsibilities of
caring for the family, and the united testimony of all who knew him
is that he was a good boy. He, by industrious labor on the farm and
with the help of one of the best of mothers to aid, advise and counsel,
was successful, and they made a good living.
His father sent him to school as much as circumstances would per-
mit, and Jonathan was a hard student and deservedly popular with
Tôth teachers and pupils. By his attention to business and kind and
pleasant bearing, he formed that character and established reputation
which made him popular in all circles where his lot was cast.
His morals were of the highest type. Soon after he was twenty-
one he was made a Mason, and the principles of the order he studied
and practiced faithfully, and was highly respected by the fraternity as
a faithful and true Mason.
In t86i, when the war broke out in the United States, he was
what was known as a Union man, and voted against secession both
times, yet when the State went out he said : "I am a Tennessean and
"See sketch of Second Tennessee, by Lieutenant George F. Hager, in Mil-
itary Annals of Tennessee, page 613.
Appendix A. 623
I must go with Tennessee," and soon after enlisted with a brother*
five years younger than himself in the Confederate army.
The company was completely organized by October 13th, 1861.
.\. B. Gates was elected captain, Jonathan M. Eastes first lieutenant,
Bill A. High second, and John
R. Bowen third lieutenant.
On the 13th of October, i86r, the company left Carthage for
Ejêrson Springs, where Colonel Bennett's battalion of cavalry was en-
camped. The company staid all night at Hartsville, and, on reach-
ing Eperson Springs the next day, were sworn into service and be-
came Company E of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry.
The company remained here for a while and then moved to Galla-
tin, where we were quartered until the retreat from Bowling Green to
Corinth, Mississippi. There the battalion remained until the retreat
from Corinth. Near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862, a reorgan-
ization took place. Captain Gates went home and raised a new com-
pany, and his company was consolidated with Captain
Joe
T. E.
Odom's company. Captain Odom having resigned, the consolidated
company, which at the same time became Company G of the Second
Tennessee Cavalry, agreed that Lieutenant Eastes and Lieutenant
Puryear might settle between themselves the question of captaincy, as
one was to be captain and the other first lieutenant. After a mo-
ment's private conference, they reported their agreementPuryear was
captain and Eastes first lieutenant.
After varied duties performed in North Mississippi our regiment,
with others, was led by General S. D. Lee into North Alabama, where
-Captain Puryear was killed and Lieutenant Eastes was promoted to
the captaincy of the company, which position he held until he was
mortally wounded at the Cross-Roads, about four miles west of
Tupelo, Mississippi, on the 13th of
July, 1864. That memorable eve-
ning, when General Buford, of Kentucky, ordered Bell's brigade to
attack the enemy's wagon train, our regiment, which was in advance,
was led into an ambuscade and so many good men fell. The captain
fell, mortally wounded, while bravely leading the charge against such
fearful odds. On the next day, at the going down of the sun, his gal-
lant spirit winged its flight to the land of spirits. He was lamented,
not only by his own company, who loved and honored him, but the
entire regiment, who had learned his noble characteristics.
Although up to this time he had made no public profession of the
religion of Jesus, the day of his death he sent for the chaplain and in
*T.
J.
Eastes, now a Baptist minister.
conversation told him that he had an abiding hope in Christ, and that
he was going to rest. To his brother (T.
J.
Eastes), who had been
sent back the night before to wait upon him, he said:
"
Be a good
boy; be faithful to your country; be a good soldier, and when the
war is ended go back home. Tell mother not to grieve after me.
This is the fate of war. I did my duty. I will meet her again."
Thus, in the twenty-seventh year of his life, fell a noble man, hon-
ored and respected by all who knew him. He was grave in counsel,
and gave advice after mature deliberation. He was brave in battle,
not seeming to consider himself in danger, but his care was the
"boys," as he familiarly called his company, over whom he watched
with a father's care, and who loved to obey his commands. The serv-
ice of his men was the service of love.
His rest at the Old Palmetto Church, three miles west of Verona,
Mississippi, will be sweet until the trump of God shall awake the
sleeping dead, and then will his noble manhood shine out in that glo-
rious luster that belongs to the glorious world to come.^^
CAPTAIN BUCK H. MOORE.
B. H. Moore, son of Gregory and Aranna Moore, was born De-
cember i8,
1842, in Smith County, Tennessee. He was raised on a
farm near New Middleton, and educated at that place. He enlisted as
a private in Captain A. B. Gates' company, which, on the 19th of Oc-
tober, 1 86
1,
became Company E of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee
Cavalry.
B. H. Moore was elected orderly sergeant at Athens, Alabama,
about the first week in March, 1862. He served as orderly until the
re-enlistment and reorganization of his company, near Fulton, Missis-
sippi,
June 12, 1862. Companies E and F were then consolidated,
and Sergeant Moore was elected second lieutenant of this consolidated-
company, which, at the same time, became Company G of the Second
Tennessee, although he was not yet twenty-one years old.
After his captain, Thomas Puryear, was killed, in North Alabama,
October 29, t
1863,
J.
M. Eastes was promoted to the captaincy and B.
H. Moore to the first lieutenancy of Company G, and after Captain
Eastes was killed
July i4,f 1864, Moore was promoted to the com-
mand of said company, which position he held to the close of the war.
*The above sketch was written by Elder T.
J.
Eastes, Shop Springs, Wilsoa
County, Tennessee.
t
Puryear was mortally wounded 2ist and Eastes 13th.
Appendix A.
625
While first lieutenant, Moore had his horse shot from under him at
Okolona, Mississippi, February 22, 1864. On the Hood Campaign
Captain Moore was knocked down near Spring Hill, and he again had
his horse shot and was wounded himself at Franklin, November 30th,
1864. Notwithstanding his wound was very painful he remained with
the command for several days and then went home, reaching there about
midnight on the night of the 9th of December, He remained at home
only a few hours. After stopping in Wilson County for a few days
he went back to Mississippi, and stopped, for about three months, with
his uncle, Elijah Moore, near Tupelo.
Captain Moore rejoined the Second Tennessee at West Point, Mis-
sissippi, just before General Forrest started on his final campaign into
Central Alabama. His horse was shot from under him again, on the
2d of April,
1865,
while gallantly leading his company in the last
charge. He surrendered with our regiment at Gainesville, Alabama,
and was paroled May 10, 1865. He was kind, generous and brave,
and had the confidence and esteem of the entire regiment. On re-
turning home, June 1st, he commenced farming, and he now
(1887)
owns a part of his father's farm near New Middleton, where he is en-
gaged in raising and dealing in fine stock.
Captain Moore married Miss Efelia Johnson on the 23d of Decem-
ber, 1874. She was a noble woman and an excellent wife, and the
-captain was very much devoted to her, though, unfortunately, she
lived (to a day) only ten years after marriage. She left no children.
'Ca[)tain Moore is now (January, 1887) a widower.
LIEUTENANT GEORGE F. HAGER,
the eldest son of John
J.
and Harriet A. Hager, was born in Smith
County, Tennessee, on the 17th day of February, 1841. His parents
removed to Kentucky while he was quite small. After completing his
literary course at school he returned to his native State, entering the
drug business in Nashville, where he was residing at the breaking out
of the war. Lieutenant Hager enlisted in the Confederate service
May 24,
1 86
1,
in Sixth Kentucky Regiment Infantry; transferred
to
Company F, Seventh Battalion Tennessee Cavalry as private in April,
1862;
was promoted to orderly sergeant, then lieutenant of his com-
pany,
which became Company G of the Second Tennessee ; Avas
with his company continuously during the war, sharing its hardships
with a veteran's endurance and enjoying its victories with soldierly
pride. After the surrender he immediately returned to Nashville
and
40
again entered his chosen profession. In 1867 he was happily married
to Miss Cornelia A. Follis, at Scottsville, Kentucky, which union has
been blessed with two children, Cora C. and James F. Hager. Lieu-
tenant Hager still resides at Nashville, and his house is, at all times,
headquarters for members of the old "Second" when in Nashville.
Lieutenant Hager has given the writer more good advice and aid
generally since I have been engaged in preparing this work for publi-
cation than any other of my comrades. I am under special obligations
to him for being so kind as to attend to the portrait department for
me. It is he, too, who has done, and is yet doing, more to make the
reunions of the Second Tennessee a success than any other. He is
our secretary {and I guess will be as long as he lives) and attends
promptly every meeting. The following, in reference to our reunions,
is from his pen :
The surviving members of the regiment conceived the idea of hold-
ing annual reunions in 1884 for the purpose of renewing the old friend-
ship and bringing all together as often as practicable. The first was held
at Gallatin, Tennessee, 1884,
when an organization was effected, and
the reunions have been held each year since. In
1885, Morton's Bat-
tery was consolidated with the regiment at its last reunion, which was
held at Gallatin. The following members were present
:
President, Captain
Jno.
W. Morton; First Vice-President, Colonel
G. H. Morton; Second Vice-President, Captain G. E. Seay; Secretary
and Treasurer, Lieutenant G. F. Hager.
Company A. Lieutenant Thos. C. Atkinson, Wallace Wilson,
Jas.
Polk, Colonel G. H. Morton.
Company B.
Jas. L. McGann, W. G. Andrews,

Jas.
A. North,
H. C. Armstrong, W. D. Covington.
Company C. R. R. Hancock, E. D. Thomas, H. C. Odom,
J.
W. Odom, Jno.
H. Odom, W. H. Francis, Wm. Davenport, C. Gar-
rison, B. F. Knox.
Company D. Lieutenant
J.
M. Cantrell, Lieutenant W. T. Youree,.
Lieutenant
J.
K. Dodd, Wm. Bell, F. R. Love,
J.
D. Carr,
J.
W.
Burns, G. B. Carmon, A. S. May, S. F. Elliott, N. C. Granthan, W.
T. Robertson,
J.
W. Adams, Allen Wylie, T. H. Bentley,
J.
W. Rut-
ledge, James Pearson, F. M. Winn, R. T. Bush, Ed. S. Payne.
Company E. W. N. Adams, William Stalcup,
J.
F. Carmon, B.
P. Reese, Arch. Allen, Reid Payne, Wm, Erwin, Henry Sacra, Lieu-
tenant T.
J.
Carmon, Captain Geo. E. Seay.
Company F.
J. R. Culbreath,
J.
T. Austin, Chas. Wilkerson,
Wm. Cauley,
J.
F. Lewis, Wm. Jackson, Thomas Link, S.
J.
Garrett.
Appendix A. &27
(Company G.
J. B. Vance, Andy Robertson, S. R. Johnson, A.

G. Templeton, W. C. West,
J.
D. Vance, Tom Petway, T. Fowler,
Lieutenant Geo. F. Hager, Colonel C. R. Barteau.
Company K.Lieutenant F. M. McCrea.
Morton's Battery. Captain
Jno.
W. Morton,
J.
C. Wood, W.
J.
Potter.
The organization keeps a regular minute-book, recording the l)usi-
ness and registering each one present, and also making notes of ail
deaths. The association have procured a large album and secured the
photographs of a large number of the members and many of the dead
comrades, and will contmue to make the collection until all are secured.
This will remain as the property of the organization so long as one of
the members lives. The last surviving member has instructions to pre-
sent the album and minute-book to the Historical Society of Ten-
nessee.
LIEUTENANT B. A. HIGH.
B. A. High, son of Samuel and Sarah High, was born February
22,
1833,
in Smith County, Tennessee, three miles west of Carthage.
He was educated mainly at Carthage and Chapel Hill, in Smith County.
His native ability as a mechanic or machinist has seldom been equaled
and perhaps never surpassed by any son of Tennessee. This genius
for machinery began to show itself at a very early age. When about
fourteen years old he made a toy (though complete) steam saw-mill.
After using his mill for about one year he took it to Carthage one day
while court was in session and put it in operation on Main Street.
This attracted so much attention that Judge Campbell adjourned court
so as to give all an opportunity to see this wonderful machinethe
product of such a young brain. Being naturally elated by the atten-
tion which his little mill had attracted, and wishing to press the engine
to its full capacity, he raised the steam a little too high and the boiler
explodedscalding a number of persons, though no one was seriously
hurt. Judge
Campbell and High were among the scalded.
When about seventeen years old, the subject of this sketch began
to put up steam mills over different portions of the State for the Ten-
nessee Manufacturing Company, located at Nashville. Said company
was burned out after he had been working for them about two years.
In the meantime, a steam grist-mill had been put up at New Middleton,
and High was now called to take charge of it. He soon after added
a saw-mill, which sawed the lumber out of which that place was built.
About this time he began to put up steam mills for another Nashville
62*^ K. R. Hancock's Diary.
firmEllis k Moore. Continuing to work for this company, his
field of operations at the breaking out of the war was North Alabama,
North Mississippi and Arkansas. As soon as Alabama seceded he
returned to New Middleton, Tennessee, and was the first to enlist in
a cavalry company, which, about the middle of October, 1861, became
Company E of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, with A.
B. Cates captain and B. A. High second lieutenant. He had gained
quite a reputation as scout before our army evacuated Bowling Green,
Kentucky, and continuing in this branch of the service while the Con-
federate army was encamped around Corinth, Mississippi, he there, by
a faithful discharge of duty, won the reputation of being one among
the ntost reliable of General Beauregard's scouts.
When the Second Tennessee was organized in
June, 1862, there
was some talk of making Lieutenant High colonel of the regiment,
but as he was sick at that time he refused to accept any position. As
soon as he was able to ride he went to New Middleton, Tennessee,
and put the steam mill there to grinding supplies for Bragg's army,
which was then on its way to Kentucky, while at the same time acting
as scout for General Morgan, with whom he remained until after the
battle of Perryville. He then rejoined the Second Tennessee at Saltillo,
Mississippi, in November, 1862. About one month after his return he
was sent to Grenada, Mississippi, with some dispatches, where he re-
mained detached for about ten months, running a steam mill which
was grinding supplies for the Confederate army at Vicksburg and other
];oints. He was captured while at Grenada, but was released by a
squad of Confederates who opportunely came up just as the Federal
rear was in the act of leaving. He returned to the Second Tennessee
just before it set out to go into North Alabama with General S. D.
Lee, in October, 1863. Going on as scout in advance of the com-
mand, he was arrested near Tuscumbia, Alabama, by some of Gen-
eral Roddy's men, and sent to General Bragg's army charged with
being a Federal spy. He was finally released at Rome, Georgia, by
order of Bragg, who had learned in the meantime that High was a
Confederate. He rejoined our regiment near Okolona, Mississippi,
about the last of February, 1864. He then acted as scout for Gen-
eral Buford until after the Hood Campaign into Tennessee.*
Before setting out from West Point, Mississippi, in March,
1865,
on his Selma Campaign, General Forrest ordered Lieutenant High to
*For gallantry at Fort Pillow, see April 12th, 1864.
Appendix A. &/\)
go into North Alabama with a detachment of thirty men, to watch the
movements of General Wilson's command and also to take up all
courier lines through that section. This duty he faithfully performed.
Having sent off as couriers all of his detachment except about three
men, and having in the meantime learned that Lee had surrendered,
and that the Confederacy was now becoming a thing of the past, he
swung round through North Mississippi and West Tennessee, surren-
dered at Johnsonville, and reached home at New Middleton, Smith
County, Tennessee, on the 28th of May, 1865.
Again taking up his favorite occupation he put up a steam saw-mill
at Rome, and another at Doweltown. After which he repaired a
boiler and engine at Gordonsville, with which he sunk the first of the
twenty-five or thirty oil-wells in Overton County. After working at
this business about four years he returned to Smith County and put
up a very fine grist and saw-mill, known as the "Hickman Mill."
Early in 1869 he again took charge of the mill at New Middleton.
Lieutenant High married Miss Lillie Gilliland, one of the fairest of
the Overton County belles, and daughter of James and Lillie Gilliland,
on the 3d of March, 1870. New Middleton was his home for several
years after marriage. x\fter putting up several more mills in the sur-
rounding country he, in connection with Messrs. Davis and Harris,
bought a Steamboat, Alex. Kendall, at Nashville, in August, 1876.
After running it for a short time on the Cumberland it was made anew
at Evansville, Indiana, and then run in the trade between that place
and Cincinnati until it was sunk by ice in January, 1877.
In 1878 he bought the steam grist and saw-mill at Auburn, Tennes-
see, which mill he is now
(1887)
successfully running. He is a live,
enterprising, man and one among the most useful citizens of the Auburn
community. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason,* and has always
taken a great deal of interest in Sunday-schools. When only fourteen
years old he had the banner Sunday-school class at Peyton's Creek
Baptist Church.
He has two children (James S. and Charlie L.) living and three
(Lillian and two infants) dead.
^
He was made a Master Mason in
1854
(at twenty-one), and a Royal Arch
(Chapter) Mason about 1868, and a Sir Knight (Encampment) about 1871.
630 K. R. Hancock's Diaky.
LIEUTENANT F. M. McREE.
F. M. McRee, son of John H. and Francis M. McRee, was born
on the 29th of August,
1844,
in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His
father removed to Obion County, West Tennessee, in November,
1849,
where the subject of this sketch labored on the farm and attended the
ordinary country schools until in his seventeenth year.
On the loth of April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service
in Captain
J.
W, Buford's company of infantry, which, on the 2 2d of
May, became Company H of the Ninth Tennessee Regiment, com-
manded by Colonel H. L. Douglass. After serving as private in said
regiment about fourteen months he was discharged at Tupelo, Missis-
sippi, on account of his being under conscript age. He then returned
to his father's in Obion County, Tennessee, where, in the summer of
1863, he aided in raising a company of cavalry, which, after doing
some service in that section of country, went south with General For-
rest in December,
1863,
and upon organization O. B. Farris was made
captain and F. M. McRee second lieutenant of this company, which,
in March,
1864, became Company K of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.
On the I St of June following McRee was promoted to first lieutenant,
which rank he held to the close of the war.
On the 13th of
July
he was so shocked by the concussion of a
shell that he was taken from the field to the hospital, but on learning
the next day that Captain Farris was wounded, Lieutenant McRee
rejoined his company, contrary to the advice of his surgeon, and was
in command of it during the last day's fighting around Harrisburg,
Mississippi, on the 15th.
He was in command of Company K when it was detached from
the Second Tennessee and took part in front during the action at Brice's
Cross-Roads. When the Federals began to retreat he very gallantly
led his company against their rear, capturing a whole company of
negroes.
Lieutenant McRee was in command of Company K during For-
rest's Middle Tennessee expedition; in fact, he was in command of his
company a good portion of the time, because Captain Farris was
so frequently on detached service. During the Hood Campaign in
December, 1864, the lieutenant commanded the advance guard from
Shoal Creek, Alabama, to Franklin, Tennessee, and on the 17th of
D:;cember, after a gallant defense, a hand-to-hand struggle, he v/as
Appendix A. 631
captured at Hollow Tree Gap, five miles north of Franklin, on the
Hood retreat, and was severely wounded in the right shoulder by a
drunken coward after he had surrendered. After remaining at a pri-
vate house for thirteen days, where he was kindly treated by the
family, Lieutenant McRee was taken to Nashville, and from there to
Fort Delaware. Here and at Nashville the Federal surgeons made an
attempt to extract the ball, but were not successful. The ball is in
his shoulder yet.
Having been exchanged, he arrived at Richmond, Virginia, about
February 14th,
1865,
where he obtained a furlough for sixty days.
Setting out from that place March 4th he found his command at We^
Point, Mississippi, about the last of the month. He had the promise
of a position on General Bell's staff as soon as his furlough was out.
After remaining in Mississippi awhile he went home, reaching there
in April. As the war was now winding to a close. Lieutenant McRee
did not do any more service, but went to work on the farm.
In 1872 he began the study of medicine under Doctor C. P.
Glover. For two years he did farm labor during the day and read at
nighl; but the next three years he put in his time (in reading) more
closely. Jn
1877
he entered the medical department of Vanderbilt
University, at Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated in the spring
of
1879,
and is now
(1887)
a practicing physician in Obion County,
Tennessee.
He married Miss Minnie Crockett on the 13th of November, 1867.
They have one son (John C.) living, and one (Hurtle M.) dead, and
four daughters (Florenia B., Emma T. , Hattie D., and Maggie Lee)
all living.
Like the most of the Confederates, Dr. McRee came out of the
army penniless, though his taxes in 1886 were eighty dollars and fifty-
four cents.
CAPTAIN W. HOOPER HARRIS AND HIS TWENTY-FIVE
MEN.
At Burnsville, Mississippi, on the 26th of April, 1862, Captain
Harris and twenty-five of his company were detached from the First
Battalion, by order of General Bell, to accompany General John H.
Morgan on an expedition through Middle Tennessee and into Ken-
tucky to meet and aid some Kentuckians in passing out through the
Federal lines. Captain Harris promised to write up a sketch of said
expedition for publication in my Diary; but as he has failed to comply
632 B. E. Hancock's Diart.
with his promise, I shall add a few facts here which I have learned
from him and others.
After Morgan and Harris had fought several successful engage-
ments and captured a number of prisoners on the way, they put up
one night in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, where, about day-
light the next morning, they were surprised by a heavy force of Fed-
eral cavalry, which resulted in the capture of Captain Harris and all
of his twenty five men, except, perhaps, one or two.* T. M. Joplin,
Joe
Campbell, Zack Tate, and Tom Drane were among the wounded
in this Lebanon affair. After they were exchanged the men did service
ifi various commands under Generals Wheeler and Morgan, while the
captain, himself, served on the staff of the former general until the
war closed. Very few, if any, of the gallant twenty-six ever rejoined
the original company, the remnant of which was consolidated with
Company B, and became Company A of the Second Tennessee. A.
A. Milliron and C. C. Martin were killed near Milton, Rutherford
County, Tennessee;
J.
M. Curran at McMinnville, Tennessee, and
R. E. K. Morris in Kentucky. T. M. Joplm was wounded twice
moreat Lexington, Alabama, and near Tunnel Hill, Georgiaand
is now
(1887)
living in Nashville, Tennessee.
For several years immediately after the close of the war Captain
Harris did business in New York City, but he is now
(1887)
living in
Nashville, Tennessee, where he is engaged in the business of life in-
surance. He is kind, generous, and brave, and but few Confederates
were more devoted to the cause of the South during our late war than
he. He is now living with his second wife; and I think that he has
two or three childrenall by his first wife.
The writer is under special obligations to Captain Harris for being
so kind as to donate the plate from which Lieutenant-Colonel F. N.
McNairy's portraits have been made for this work.
*
I think that Alex. Bolton was one who escaped.
:T,LOeN
FOUNDATION.-
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APPENDIX B.
REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
R. R. Hancock, Esq., Auburn, Tenn.:
Dear Old Comrade and FriendIn reply to yours requesting me
to contribute a sketch of my prison life during the last ten months of
the Civil War, I desire to say that I am more than half way tempted
to comply with your wish, and make the contribution under the belief
that it will be appreciated by yourself and read with interest by my
old comrades who yet survive the struggle, but I dislike so much to
write of myself that I am constrained to ask you to excuse me upon
condition that I contribute something else, closely allied to prison life,
and which I believe will prove of more interest to the general reader
than anything I could possibly say of myself.
I could write a book of war reminiscences, replete with anecdotes,
adventures, escapades, laughable and otherwise, but the task is more
than I could think of undertaking, besides so much of that class of
history has already been written that I am persuaded the public has
grown tired of it.
But there are many incidents of the war that form a part of its
history that have never been and never will be written. The actors
have passed away and no one is left to tell the story. I am reminded
of some that fell under my own personal observation that, if properly
written, would rival the wildest stories of fiction, and yet be truth,
historic truth.
I remember an incident, which I will relate in lieu of the prison
sketch, and I think you will agree with me, when it is finished, that
it exceeds in interest anything I could say of myself.
In the winter of 1862-3, while the Second Tennessee Regiment was
wintering at Okolona, and watching the outposts from Corinth along
the line into North Alabama, I was on special duty in the Provost
Marshal's office, at Okolona. My duty at the time was partly clerical
(033)
634 K. R. HalVGOCK's Diary.
and partly as a courier. Lieutenant Love was Provost Marshal, and
Dick Walker chief clerk. Lieutenant Love remained at his boarding
house at night, while Walker and I stayed in the office. And right
here allow me to remark, parenthetically, that my friend and I had
some royal old times when night came and everybody else were in
camps, asleep or gathered around the fire, telling stories, singing war
songs, or perhaps songs of home and loved ones, hundreds of miles
away.
We had some Jew
neighbors, who were our particular friends, and
often came over to the office at night for a social chat, when all was
quiet, and as a token of their profound regard for Dick and I would
almost as often bring with them a quart of as fine wine as a soldier
ever drank. This expression of consideration for our social as well as
physical comfort was duly appreciated, if not reciprocated, as we
gave them ample evidence by the way we enjoyed it. We never got
drunk, but always felt animated and sufficiently patriotic to express
ourselves freely as to the certain success of the Confederacy, and our
unbounded love for and confidence in our friends, the Jews.
Walker was a Kentuckian, and never lost an opportunity to take a
drink, curse the Yankees, and admire the women, though there was a
disposition to think equally as well of a good horse. Our visitors were
equally as convivial, though somewhat reticent as to war opinions, and
a little oft' on the horse. They were up to the requirements of the
most chivalrous as to women, and would take a back seat to nobody
in discussing nice things to drink. This is merely mentioned to show
how we generally passed our evenings.
One night I was alone. It had been raining, and the wind was
blowing a little crisp across the open prairie, and whistled mournfully
around the corners of the house and rattled the shutters unpleasantly
without. I had laid down on a cot and was trying to court sleep, but
the monotonous soughing of the wind and occasional patter of rain,
together with the clashing of loose shutters and dilapidated signs in the
neighborhood, completely dissipated all ideas of sleep, and I was
compelled to turn restlessly on my cotton-batting cot, and seek in vain
for "nature's sweet restorer."
It was near midnight when I caught the sound of footsteps on the
pavement without, and almost immediately a vigorous rap was heard
on the door. I sprang to my feet and approached the door with the
query, "Who comes there?" The reply came,
"
Dick Bayless and
Tom Bennington, with a prisoner." Opening the door, the familiar
Reminiscences of the Wak. 635
forms of Bayless and Bennington entered with the prisoner between
them.
"Here's a suspicious character, Sergeant," said Bennington, as he
moved the prisoner nearer the Hght. "We caught him awhile ago,
trying to get out of the lines by dodging the picket. The facts are
these: We heard an unusual and suspicious noise in the bushes, and
we kept a lookout for developments. Pretty soon we discovered a
man on horseback trying to slip around and get out. We just lay
for him and took him in."
"
He can't give any correct account of himself," remarked Bayless.
"He's got a mighty glib tongue, and can tell some mighty slick stories,
but he forgets to make them consistent; and not having any vouchers
or anything to help him along in emergencies of this kind, we thought
we had best bring him in."
The prisoner appeared to be about six feet high, well formed, and
apparently well dressed, in half citizen and half Confederate clothing.
He stood erect with an army blanket wrapped around him, which he
held closed in such a way as to cover his mouth and a part of his face.
Beneath a broad-brim, slouch hat beamed as brilliant a pair of eyes as
were ever placed in mortal's head. He listened attentively to the
account of his capture, without saying a word. I plied a number of
questions, which he answered, either in monosyllables or not at all.
The prisoner reluctantly obeyed orders to remove his hat and
blanket, jjreparatory to being searched. The moment these were
taken off I recognized him as a soldier who, in the afternoon before,
I noticed loafing around the office, and was detected in an attempt to
take a blank pass from the provost's table by reaching through the
open window from the outside. On being discovered he left, and
Avas seen no more. Nothing was thought of this circumstance at the
time, as it was no uncommon thing for a soldier to steal a blank pass
when he had a chance. The best of them would do it.
'
' Why, you are the fellow I saw trying to steal a pass through the
window," I remarkedvvith some surprise as his features recurred to me.
"Hello, Wilson! My God! is that you?" shouted Bennington,
as he saw for the first time the prisoner's face. "Why didn't you say
so? You certainly ought to have recognized me."
The prisoner declined to make a reply. When first arrested he
talked freely, and tried to explain to his captors that he was only try-
ing to get outside the lines to go off on a little expedition of his own,
and begged to be allowed to return to camp, but having failed to work
on their credulity, he seemed to have made up his mind to say noth-
ing and let matters take their own course.
"Sergeant," said Bennington, '"a few days ago, while returning
from a scout below, I fell in with this man, who gave his name as
William Wilson, and said that he belonged to Colonel Jackson's reg-
iment and was going up to Okolona on business. We came on to-
gether. I passed him through the pickets and into town, where he
left me, and I have not seen him since until to-night."
After repeated interrogatories the prisoner said his name was Wm.
Wilson, and that he belonged to Colonel Jackson's regiment of Con-
federate cavalry, and that his meeting with Bennington was correct,
but that, unfortunately, he had no vouchers with him, and was at-
tempting to work his way out and back to his regiment, which he said
was then in the neighborhood of Holly Springs ; that he did try all
the day before to steal a blank pass, but gave it up; that he was very
anxious to get back to his command, as his time was up, and he hoped
we would not detain him.
A search of his person revealed no clue to his identity. A greasy
memorandum book, nearly filled with disjointed notes, out of which
we could make nothing, was found in his pocket. I was half way
inclined to believe his story, but the fact that he had no paper about
him connecting him in any way with the army, or even giving his
name, was a strong circumstance in my mind against himsufficient,
I thought, to justify me in sending him to the guard-house, to be held
until further investigation could be had, and accordingly so directed.
The guards had started with him to the guard-house, and had almost
reached the door, when the thought suddenly occurred to my mind
that I had seen that man before. There was something in his expres-
sion that was familiar, and I endeavored to recall the time and place,
when and where we had met. I halted the party near the door, and
as the prisoner turned his face toward the light the circumstance of
our previous meeting came vividly to my memory. I remembered
having met him in West Tennessee in the fall of i860. Walking up
to him, I laid my hand on his shoulder and remarked, "My friend,
we have met before."
"I guess not," he quickly replied.
"But we have, and I think your name is Easterwood."
Wilson started a little at this, but smiled pleasantly as he repeated
the remark that I was mistaken.
He denied any knowledge of the place where I mentioned as hav-
KemkmscKiVcks of the War. 037
ing previously enjoyed the honor of his acquaintance, and knew
nobody in that locality.
Dick Walker, who in the meantime had come up, questioned Wil-
son sharply, with a view of getting something of his history, but
nothing could be learned further than the fdct that Bennington had
met him while returning from a scout and brought him into camp, and
his subsequent arrest.
Early next morning a courier was sent out to Company C, Second
Tennessee, for
J.
F. Black, a member of that company, who, if I
was right in my recollection of the prisoner, would instantly identify
him, as I knew they had lived neighbors for some years. Black was
requested to accompany Walker and myself to the guard-house, and
to look among the prisoners to see if he could find any one he could
recognize. We had hardly entered the prison door before Black
caught Wilson's eye, and exclaimed with surprise, "Why, hello,
Easterwood, what are you doing here?"
The prisoner turned pale and for a moment was almost speechless,
but recovering himself by a masterly effort repeated about the same
story he told us the night before, but hesitated some in stating the
command to which he belonged.
He was subsequently taken before the provost marshal for exami-
nation, but positively refused to talk. He was remanded to prison
under the charge of being a spy. It was some weeks before he was
put on trial, which came off before a court-martial at Columbus,
Mississippi. Walker, Bennington, Bayless and myself were before
the court as witnesses. Whether our testimony amounted to anything
or not, I never knew, but I learned afterward that an expert had
deciphered Easterwood's notes, and brought out direct facts against
him. At any rate he was found guilty as a spy, condemned to death
by hanging, and the date of execution fixed some four weeks off.
It was necessary that the papers be signed by General Pemberton,
who was then at Vicksburg, and be returned before the day set for
the execution. Before returning to Okolona after the sentence was
passed upon Easterwood, Walker and I visited him at the jail. He
admitted his guilt, and said he was ready to meet the penalty. We
parted with the miserable man with the deepest sorrow. Though a
spy and an enemy we had found him a high-bred, proud, brave gen-
tleman; worthy of a better fate.
War events followed each other in rapid succession about this time.
Grant's movements around Vicksburg, and its subsequent fall; excit-
ing campaigns in Kentucky and Virginia; great battles and exciting
skirmishes from Louisiana to Maryland kept public attention on the
alert, and like every one else I lived in the present and future, and
thought little of the events of the past. I supposed that when the
day arrived for Easterwood to hang for the crime for which he had
forfeited his life, he paid the penalty in the regular way, and was
stowed away in an obscure grave, free from war's alarms, awaiting the
summons to the grand roll call, when all men are to answer for the
deeds done while in the body.
Two years or more after the event mentioned I was captuied by
the Federals, and held a prisoner at Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111.,
until the war was over. I shall not go into the details of my capture,
and to the exciting incidents connected with my first week's career as
a prisoner of war. Suffice to say, I fell into the hands of a Pennsyl-
vania regiment of Federals in Lewis County, Tennessee. My friend
and fellow-soldier, W. C. Kennedy, of Auburn, Cannon County, was
Avounded and captured at the same time. My horse had been shot in
the skirmish, and I was trying to make my escape across an open field
to the woods, and though closely pursued by the Yankees, who were
firing at me from repeating rifles, much faster than I could count, I
hoped to escape, but I discovered Kennedy lying on the ground, some
thirty yards off, and I could n't think of leaving him there, without
knowing how badly he was hurt, and deviated from the straight line
to the timber to speak to him. The delay thus caused proved fatal.
Before I could regain lost ground the Dutchmen were upon me demand-
ing my surrender. I submitted to the inevitable and gave up my gun,
the barrel of which had become so hot from quick loading and shoot-
ing that I could hardly hold it in my hand. It was with considerable
difficulty that the Pennsylvanians prevented a gang of Tennessee home
guards, under the leadership of Gus Langdon, from shooting us like
dogs, after we were made prisoners. We were guarded very closely
afterward to keep the Langdon crowd from murdering us, as we were
to be held as prisoners. Had it not been for this extra vigilance I
believe I could have escaped.
Kennedy and I were taken to Columbia, where I was placed in
jail, and he was sent to the hospital. From the Columbia jail I was
transferred to the penitentiary at Nashville, and thence to Louisville,
where I was accorded the distinguished privilege of determining by
lottery whether I should continue my existence on this war-riven and
much-troubled sphere, or go out and be shot for sins alleged against
Reminiscences of the Wae. 039
Mosby's men, who were then said to be operating in Eastern Kentucky.
This was while Burbridge domineered over military affairs at Louisville.
The fates for the first time in life, to my knowledge, were in my favor,
and enabled me to go safely and successfully through the ordeal on
two occasions. If it had cost me money to draw in that lottery busi-
ness, luck would have been against me to a dead moral certainty.
From Louisville I was sent with a lot of other unfortunates like my-
self to Camp Douglas. We reached the famous prison pen about sun-
up, one of the coldest mornings I had ever seen, felt, read or heard
of. Everybody else, I could see, appeared comfortable enough, in
warm, substantial clothing, but the prisoners were thinly clad, and
being just from the South they suffered severely. Before turning us
into the prison proper we were stopped at the gate and stripped of
what clothing we had on, while a detail for the purpose went through
our rags in search of "money," while we were left to shiver in the
raw wind until they got through. Out of the squad of ninety men.
I think they got ninety-five cents in shinplasters.
I was assigned to barracks 38. The bunk allotted me was innocent
of a single blanket or anything to keep me warm. My first night was
about as miserable a one as one could imagine, but I managed to pull
through till morning. The sun rose bright and cheerful. The air
was full of flying frost, something I had never witnessed before. I
went out into the sunshine, for it was much warmer than in the bar-
racks, and besides I wanted to see the prison. I had been out an
hour, I suppose, and had not met a single familiar face, and was on my
return to the barracks. Hundreds of prisoners were rushing to and
from the hydrant. I was making my way through the crowd when for
the first time my eyes caught the outline of a familiar face. The
owner was walking rapidly toward me; I was endeavoring to make him
out or locate him before speaking to him. I knew I could not be mis-
taken in having seen the man, but was at a loss to name him. When
we had approached within a few feet of each other, our eyes met. He
started and looked at me for a moment and with much surprise, while
a smile played over his face he exclaimed,
"
McLin!"
"
Easterwood
!
"
But it was with much difficulty I articulated the name. I thought
he had been hanged years before, and was so sure of it that I felt that
I stood in the presence of his ghost.
"My God, Easterwood," I involuntarily exclaimed, "how came
you here? I thought you were dead!"
640 K. R. H4.NcooK\s Diary.
'
' I am not dead, as you supposed, but, taking all things together,
I expect I am about as near it now as I have ever been. How came
I here? Well, that's a long story that I'll tell you some other time.
But, I am here, as you see, a rebel prisoner."
"Then you wasn't hanged after all?"
"Not much. You see my death warrant was sent to Vicksburg for
General Pemberton's approval and it was never returned. Grant
closed up that town about that time, and suspended business between
Pemberton and Pillow, and left me in jail under death sentence with
no authority for any one to carry it out."
"Well?"
"Well, I was kept in jail several months and was finally sent to
Mobile, where I was made a sort of galley slave in the fort there. My
duty was to do anything and everything it was nobody else's business
to do. I was subject to almost anybody's orders, from the commander
down to gun corporal, I was neither a soldier nor a negro, a prisoner
nor a trusty, a hired man, nor a camp bummer. That sort of life didn't
suit nie, and I left. But it is too cold to stand here and talk. I'll tell
you all some other time."
Easterwood and I were together almost daily from that time forward
for some months. Early in the spring of
1865, by the interposition
of friends on the outside, he secured his release from prison, by taking
the oath of allegiance to the United States. He returned to his family
in West Tennessee where he lived a quiet, peaceful life on a farm, for
a number of years after the close of the war, when he died with con-
sumption, leaving a widow and a number of children. His remarka-
ble history was never known outside his immediate family, except by
myself.
"It is a strange story." remarked Easterwood to me one day in
prison. We were talking of the war, when I reminded him that he had
never explained his escape from the fort at Mobile, and how he came
to be a prisoner of war.
"It is a very strange story, and one that will tax your credulity to
the highest to believe; but I promised to tell you, and I will now
proceed.
"After my capture at Okolona, I felt sure I would find a way of
escape and always kept my eye out for the chance. But no opportu-
nity ever presented itself that I thought I could utilize and conse-
quently made no foolish attempt. I had no idea of being convicted
on a fair trial, but you know the result of that court-martial. I was
Eexiixiscences of the War. 641
found guilty and sentenced. The idea of dying by hanging at first
overwhelmed me. I could have reconciled myself to my fate had I
known I was going to be shot, but to hang was terrible. I was almost
crazed with the thought. And then, when I thought of my poor little
wife and baby at home, one to be made a widow and the other an
orphan, and that I could see them no more, my distress was more than
I could bear. At times, I am sure I was perfectly insane. Time
passed on, and the fatal day was drawing close at hand. I had no in-
timation whatever of the fate of the papers, and no hope whatever
that Grant had captured them, and fully expected to swing when my
time come. But one night, a few days before the day fixed for my
execution, I did get hope, and that from a source I little expected.
"I had been very restless through the day previous, and it was late
in the night before I laid down on my blankets in the corner of my
cell to try to sleep. I think it must have been near midnight when I
felt myself lost in a dense fog that seemed to cover the whole earth.
I seemed to be wandering, drifting rather, I knew not where. The
fog was so dense I could distinguish no object whatever. I thought I
was going home from the war and had nearly reached there when I
was surrounded by the awful mist that shut out my vision and pre-
vented me from finding my way to the long looked-for-home, where
my dear wife had been so long looking and waiting for me. After a
long while the sunlight began to penetrate the fog, and soon afterward
the cloud was lifted entirely, and, to my surprise, I was in full view of
home. The sky was black behind me; before all was bright and
cheerful. I was overjoyed to meet my family, and thought I had
come to stay. I held my wife in my arms and kissed her a hundred
times, I know, and promised her I would never leave her again. But
in the midst of my joy I heard the tread of cavalry horses and the
clanking of sabers, followed by pistol shots, and I felt that I must fly
to escape. Hastily telling my wife 'good-bye,' I started off on a
run, when she halted and kissed me farewell.
"
'Our last kiss, I am afraid,' I remarked.
"
'O, no, no; not the last. Fly now; we shall meet again.'
"She had hardly uttered the last word when, in my excitement, I
was awakened. For a moment I felt greatly depressed. The dream
had brought with it a sense of disappointment, and seemed to mock
me in my misery. This feeling gradually disappeared as I remem-
bered and repeated time and again the last words of my wife: 'We
shall meet again.' I was never superstitious in my life, and had no
41
faith in dreams, but somehow this one impressed me as I had never
been before. It seemed to speak to my inner self and to tell me there
was hope. I received it as a prophecya voice from heavenand,
while I could not interpret the vision, I felt from that moment that I
would be saved or find a means of escape.
"The day set for my execution came around, and, while I would
not have been surprised at any moment to have seen a file of sol-
diers call for me, they did not come, and I could learn nothing from
the jailer as to the reason why.
"
It was weeks afterward before I learned the facts. I felt, as you
may know, a great relief. But the question soon arose in my mind as
to how I would be finally disposed of. I was quite sure the authori-
ties would not allow me to enlist as a soldier in the Confederate army,
nor would they exchange me as a prisoner of war. The only sure
thing in sight was a short existence in the jail. I was nearly dead,
anyway, but I really preferred hanging to rotting to death in my cell.
"I was at last sent to Mobile, as I have told you. I recovered
my health and strength there, though I had a pretty tough time. I
was everybody's dog, and it was every dog's day except mine.
"I determined on a change at the first opportunity, and prepared
for it. I managed to get hold of a blank commission for an assistant
inspector-general. This I filled up to suit myself. In addition to that
I found some officer's transportation paper, from which I extracted his
name, changed dates and places, etc. , to suit my own taste, and when
I got everything ready, after having provided myself with a suitable
uniform, I managed to work my way out of the fort and to the depot.
On reaching the station, I boarded a train on the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad just leaving for West Point, Miss., the then terminus. My
transportation paper was the big card, and it worked like a charm. I
reached West Point without any trouble and put up at a hotel, where
I soon learned the officer's name in command of a cavalry squad
there. I immediately sent him a note that I was there and would be
out to inspect his command that afternoon, and, in the meantime, I
would be obliged to have him provide me with a horse, and to call and
see me at my room.
"The colonel came, as I expected, and we spent a pleasant hour
together. He sent me a good horse and saddle and a lieutenant to ac-
company me to headquarters. The command, consisting of three or
four companies, was brought out on parade. The colonel put them
through some excellent field movements, after which they were formed
Eeminiscences of the War. 643
in line for inspection. I rode down the line, examined each man's
position in the saddle, dropped some instruction here and there, where
I thought it was needed, made the men a little talk an their excellent
appearance, thanked the colonel and officers for their courtesy, got an
abstract of the adjutant's last report to General Ruggles, and returned
to my hotel. I had learned from the colonel that the cavalry was
scattered pretty much through the country from Tuscumbia along
down the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to the Mobile and Ohio
and from thence to Holly Springs. I also learned that Colonel Bar-
teau's men were somewhere in the Blackland country. I did not care
to fall into their hands again, and I determined on a more northerly
course.
"The colonel called on me again late in the afternoon, and I sub-
mitted for his inspection a map indicating the localities where the cav-
alry was stationed, and told him I desired first to visit the command
at Tuscaloosa and thence down the country to Aberdeen, and asked
him to furnish me a horse and outfit to make the trip, promising I
would return them from Aberdeen. He readily consented to do so.
The next morning I found myself handsomely mounted and on my
way home. I came across and inspected two or three different com-
mands before I got outside the lines. These diversions necessarily
delayed me altogether two or three days.
"When I at last cleared the outposts, I made directly for home,
arriving there about ten days after leaving West Point. And now
comes the other part of my story, which accounts for my being here.
"I remained at home a month or two, and notwithstanding I had
made up my mind not to join the army again on either side, I found
it impossible to plead neutral and stay there with any degree of safety.
The country was torn up and excited by raids of guerilla bands of
both armies, comprised generally of cut-throats and thieves. These
raiding desperadoes had things pretty much their own way when they
were about, and defenseless citizens had a very poor showing. I
accordingly enlisted in Captain Tom Mathes' company of Confederate
cavalry, and was shortly afterward in a sharp skirmish with the Fed-
erals, captured and sent here. Of course the Federals knew nothing
of my ever having been in their secret service, and "I don't care about
them knowing it, either. My relation to either army is not at present
of the most happy character, and if I ever get out of here I will cut
the acquaintance of both and let them fight it out. I've had entirely
too much of it. The truth about the matter is just about this
:
I have
got to a point where I am willing to quit, and intend to quit, and if I
am ever permitted to reach my wife again I will never leave her until
God shall call one of us away. I desire to die by her side, and I feel
that it is decreed that I shall."
"You remember your dream?"
"That dream was a prophecy; it came to me in my cell to com-
fort me when all the world was against me and death staring me in
the face. It gave me hope, and strength, and courage, without which
I should certainly have sickened and died during my long confine-
ment. Something tells me I will spend the remainder of my days in
peace, and with my family and friends. My life, since the war com-
menced, has been a turbulent one, full of danger and attended through-
out with narrow escapes and reckless adventures, but much of it is
known only to myself and it will die with me."
I think, as I stated in the outset, that you will agree with me that
Easterwood's adventure is well worth preserving. It is a piece of his-
tory in which there is enough romance to make it interesting.
Yours truly,
J.
U. McLiN.
1^^

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A History of The Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry

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1\CG

Company A, 28; Company B, 29;

Starts from Jacksboro, 81; at Mill Springs, 87;

Starts from Murfreesboro,

On Outpost Duty at luka, 164;

Roll of Company A, 175;

Starts for luka,

Ordered to West Tennessee,

Forrest moves so as to prevent, if possible, the junction of W. S. Smith

Starts from Columbus,

Forrest starts from Verona, 462;

Forrest's command in motion,

Hood sets out from Florence, with Forrest's Cavalry in advance,

Forrest's Cavalry at Corinth,

Ewing, William, Captain, d.

Bond, Burk, First Lieutenant, d.

Resigned at Cumberland Ford.

We (-Ewing's and Allison's

McNairy moved on to and

J. L. Thomas and I set out from Mr.

variously estimated at from six hundred to fifteen hun-

Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p.

On the date, under which I am now writing, the 3d,

Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,

McNairy's Battalion moved from

Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.,

Having blockaded the roads over the

Just before sunrise the enemy

Our General took up four pieces of

Monday, gth.General Zollicoffer now had with him

Rebellion I\ccori/s, J'ol. Vll.,

Major-General E. K. Smith was sent to East Tennessee. General Buckner

^Stanton's and Murray's Ivegi-

Johnston dispatched thus to the Secre-

The battalion moved on through and

Grant, the Federal Canimander-in-Chief, it appears, had gone that after-

^and rushed in with pis-

McKnight's Company went on a scout

The regiment crossed the river and

partly on a pleasure trip and partly after clothing and

Parrish's Company was sent to

passing Bay Springs on the i8th of

two companies of infantry and one of cavalry en-

perhaps I should say citythat I

quite different from

A Federal scout followed us out

^about two hundred

going in the direction of Rocky Ford, on the

Sir : I have the honor to inform

July and August.

perhaps about Lamb's Ferrythey turned and marched

Joseph E. Johnstonat Meridian, and ex-

-The divisionnow three brigades

moving by the way of Holly Springs, camped eight

hard tackat the latter place,

Correspondent Cincinnati Commercial^ Memphis,

^just at that moment (and before the

the Confederates to the left and the Federals to the

-We only had about twenty-six miles

were considerably hurt. Another chimney was knocked

perhaps fifty feet above the water level

perhaps some were nearer

Colonel Barteau halted and waited for the rest of the